Ep 8. Rendering

Marco Polo is a historical drama television series that premiered on Netflix in 2014. Set in the 13th century, the series revolves around the adventures of Marco Polo, a young Italian merchant who travels to China and becomes entangled in the politics and intrigues of the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of the Yuan dynasty.

Season 1 episode 8, titled "Rendering", follows Marco Polo (played by Lorenzo Richelmy) as he accompanies Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) on a hunting trip in the wilderness of China. As they pursue a wild boar, they come across a group of Mongol warriors who have been killed by bandits. Kublai is enraged by the attack and orders his army to hunt down and capture the outlaws.

Meanwhile, at the court of Kublai, tensions are rising as Empress Chabi (Joan Chen) plots against Kokachin (Zhu Zhu), the blue princess who is secretly in love with Marco. Chabi is jealous of Kokachin's influence over Kublai and wants to see her removed from power. To this end, Chabi enlists the help of Ahmad (Mahesh Jadu), a Persian physician who is experimenting with the use of opium as a weapon of political control. Ahmad convinces Kublai that Kokachin is a threat to his rule and should be killed.

As the hunt for the bandits intensifies, Marco finds himself caught in the middle of the political machinations at the court. He tries to warn Kokachin of the danger she is in, but she refuses to believe him. Meanwhile, Kublai struggles to balance his duty as a ruler with his personal desires, particularly his love for Kokachin.

"Rendering" is a gripping episode that showcases the complex relationships between the characters and the political tensions that drive the plot. The action-packed hunt scenes are intercut with tense scenes at the court, where the battle for power and influence is played out in both subtle and overt ways. The episode also explores the themes of loyalty and betrayal, as characters make difficult choices that have far-reaching consequences.

Overall, "Rendering" is a standout episode of a show that is full of intrigue, adventure, and drama. It is a must-watch for fans of historical fiction and anyone who enjoys a good story.