Reflections
The draught that caused the water to dry up was created by a powerful mage named Daeho. The hailstones that fell from the sky were created by his wish. This event has caused chaos across the land, and it is up to the mages to try and fix things.
The Soul Ejector is a powerful trinket that can bring the dead back to life and even steal the essence of those living to satiate the dead. ..
Master Seo Gyeong, the founder of Songrim, put an end to that and kept hold of the soul stone. And Master Lee was actually the guy’s pupil.
Yeom and Park Jin set out to find the Ice Stone in order to prevent it from happening again 200 years ago. They speak with each other and hope that their efforts will be successful.
Last episode, we saw a mirror that was used to cast out the evil spirits that haunted the house. Now, it seems as if someone has taken advantage of the mirror’s power and created a replica of it. This mirror seems to be able to cast out any spirit that tries to enter, and it’s been seen in various places around the house.
Meanwhile, Mu-Deok shows up to see the Crown Prince. She gratefully takes the cinnamon drink he offers and doesn’t bat an eyelid to it. The Crown Prince immediately suspects something is up, and in doing so, her demeanour changes. “You caught me.” She says, and disappears from view. In fact, the mirror ends up cracking in the process. ..
It turns out that Yul has also been suffering from illusions, and interestingly, they too include Mu-Deok. When Jang-Uk shows up, the others fill him in on what’s happening – including the broken jade stone that she “broke”.
We know that Cho-Yeon is meddling in this search, but the unintended consequences are that he gets his wish and he can look inside Jinyowon himself.
The Crown Prince is excited to explore the dangerous relics inside the temple. He knows that they could cause them to lose their way, but he’s determined to see them for himself. Yul follows him, but decides to stay behind to guard the temple.
As the three enter the dark and spooky museum, they are immediately confronted with a large, dangerous-looking mirror. The mirror is taunting Mu-Deok, who is apparently stuck inside it and can’t get out. The other two visitors are scared and start to back away. ..
The trouble is, these three people only stay inside for an hour, but when that time runs out, they’re supposed to head back. Only, they reflect on their illusions and realize all of this links back to the mirror. ..
While all this is going on, Dang-Gu speaks to Cho-Yeon outside and comments how he can hear jade clinking. And that soon becomes apparent when we see that she actually has the stone in her sachet.
When the others return outside Jinyowon, they learn that this trinket is called the Mirror of Longing and Mu-Deok is stuck inside. However, given Jang-Uk is actually inside, Cho-Yeon steps up and claims that she’s found the jade stone and Mu-Deok isn’t responsible after all. Her mother shrugs it off.
Jang-Uk manages to work out the riddle of the mirror and shrugs off its constant berating and antagonizing quips. Realizing that a mirror needs a reflection, he covers it up with a large cloth. ..
This act allows Jang-Uk to communicate with Mu-Deok on the other side. Jang-Uk admits that he misses her and opens up about how he’s felt since meeting her all those episodes ago. Both of them reach their hands out and touch the quivering magical field. Suddenly, the glass shatters and Mu-Deok is able to be saved.
Jang-Uk carries Cho-yeon out of the room, while Park-Jin happens to be outside. With everything cleared up, Cho-yeon drops to her knees and apologizes for what she’s done, given that she was the one who orchestrated all of this. ..
This casts doubt on the validity of the marriage that was supposed to take place between Park Jin and Cho-Yeon. Park Jin has admitted he is concerned about Cho-Yeon’s actions, which raises questions about the validity of the marriage.
Mu-Deok wakes up to find that the light from before has blinded her, but she can see perfectly fine in the morning.
Jang-Uk is determined to become the man he was always born to be. He also speaks to Cho-yeon’s mother about how he may not actually be Gang Jang’s son given what we know about the soul switching in the past.
Jin-Mu arrives and speaks to Cho-Yeon’s mother. He suggests that Cho-Yeon marry Bu-Yeon instead, that way he can make Bu-Yeon leader of Jinyowon and Cho-Yeon will become a queen. This is, of course, all part of his scheming. Part of this would also mean Jin-Mu becomes part of the Jin family if she decides to agree.
Yul is shocked to find out that Mu-Deok is actually Naksu, and wonders what to do. Kil Joo approaches Mu-Deok and offers her help in exchange for power. ..
Jang-Uk and Mu-Deok are on their way to an empty temple to do a soul-shift. However, Jang-Uk decides that they should stay faithful and loyal to one another. Mu-Deok has a change of heart and reveals the truth – that she needs to leave because of that. If she stays by his side then it’ll put him in danger and he could die.
Mu-Deok, a powerful sorcerer, shows up to see Kil-Joo that night. However, Jang-Uk, a skilled swordsman, jumps in and defends her. ..
Jang-Uk uses his Tansu technique to knock Kil-Joo down. Unfortunately, he conjures his powers to produce the alchemy of souls. Jang-Uk’s soul looks set to shift. Uh oh! ..
The Episode Review
The show opens with a really strong prologue that sets the tone for the rest of the episode. It introduces us to our main characters, who are all struggling to find their place in the world. We see them struggling with their personal relationships, their jobs, and their goals. The prologue is a really strong way of setting the tone for the rest of the episode.
The visuals in this essay are really well done, including the iconic scene of Mu-Deok inside the Mirror of Longing. The way she’s surrounded by all those mirrors is a great way to show her internal – as well as external – issues.
The humour in this film is much more controlled. Although there are a few jokes thrown in, it’s never at the expense of the plot which remains consistent right the way through.
That’s testament to the writers, who have done a compelling job crafting this world. That’s to say nothing of the worldbuilding, which is equally as impressive, given what they’ve managed to do here. ..
Alchemy of Souls has been a great watch and the ending hints that we’re in for quite the dramatic follow-up episode tomorrow!
