In addition my discussion yesterday of the factors that lay at the root of Young's renewed motivation, I would like to draw attention to the way these details are underlined visually in this scene, firstly in the juxtaposition of Eun Soo's fight for survival with Young's own and secondly in the positioning of Gongmin and the Wudalchi during the battle against Ki Chul.
Eun Soo's fight to survive is beautifully paralleled with Young's concurrent struggle - just as Eun Soo taught Young with her determination to live, so is Young putting that lesson into action at his time of greatest need. The side-by-side treatment of their scenes, showing them fighting their individual fights "together," provides a powerful image. It is no coincidence that the moment Young regains the strength to pick up his "heavy" sword is intercut with Eun Soo's victory over the poison in her body and subsequent reawakening.
Gongmin's previous doubts in Young's loyalty have also been replaced by absolute faith, symbolized by Gongmin standing behind Young in an expression of support. In contrast to the scene in Episode 21 where Gongmin had asked Young, "Until when must I stand behind you?" in reference to his own weakness and need for protection, Gongmin's position behind Young is now a show of strength. This symbolism of Young being reinforced by his support crew is reflected in the formation of the Wudalchi behind him.
Like Gongmin, the Wudalchi is a group to whom Young feels honor-bound to protect; in one way they are a "burden," but it is also their unconditional loyalty and support that provides Young with strength. The sacrifice of Dol Bae not only gives Young an added jolt of motivation and anger-fueled adrenaline, but also serves to underline the Wudalchi's loyalty to their general regardless of his mental or physical state. Furthermore, Dol Bae's sacrifice results from his attempt to step forward into the frontline in the place of his general - symbolically attempting to shoulder Young's burden, but failing to do so. His death perhaps nails home the message to Young that his men and his king supports him wholeheartedly, but in the end it is only he who can step up to take up his burden; no one else can do it for him.
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