Okay, was anyone else squee-ing the entire time?

Yeah being a vigilante is way cooler

I agree that Yona is much more powerful as a vigilante than as a ruler. If she were to lead the country, she would often get tied up with logistics. she can move around much easier as is, and she is able to help a whole lot more people.

She's been a pirate, a bandit boss, a slave, an ambassador (in Xing), a dancer, and all around just a guardian spirit for her country. If she were queen, her movements would be far more restricted, and she wouldn't be able to do any of it. Not to mention the fact that she probably just isn't ready emotionally or even maturity-wise to lead an entire country.

I'm sure she could do it if needed, but it would be very hard on her, and no doubt she'd hate not being able to get her hands dirty helping her people when they need her because of her title.

That being said, Soo Won isn't great for the job either. He started out strong, but I think something is changing in him as a king. When he went to Chishun, he made the most of absolutely every opportunity. He set up trade with the Kai for Yunho's tea, he created demand for the gems they'd been mining, he tested the Earth Tribe's resolve and skill in battle while boosting Geun Tae's popularity with his tribe even further, all while gaining his respect and cementing his loyalty.

His strategy in the battle with the Fire Tribe was flawless, and he gained Kyo Ga's loyalty by sparing him and appointing him as his father's replacement.

in rescuing Lily and the other prisoners in Sei, he gained Joon Gi's loyalty, and bolstered Kouka's reputation as an incredible fighting force by taking down a thousand men with a handful of people.

He always made the most of every opportunity, but in Xing, he made no effort to come to a peaceful and beneficial resolution until Yona forced his hand. Had he offered a treaty from the beginning, he could have established trade between them and gained an allied nation. Instead, he was ready and willing- actually, he was itching to go to war.

Despite what he's done, before this he was shown to be a fundamentally kind man. Yet he agreed with his father's actions in Xing years before. (dumping the heads of war prisoners at the palace doors).

I know; one instance does not a pattern make, but I feel like that was the beginning of something new for his character, and I suspect we will soon be seeing him act more and more like Yuhon.

All in all, I feel that Soo Won on the throne is a ticking time bomb, and Yona simply isn't ready for it yet. I don't think either of them are right for the job as of now.

Hmm...that's a lot of food for thought, but I think I see what you mean with Soo Won. I thought his stance on that situation with Xing was pretty odd considering everything else he'd done (all those instances you listed where he made the most of everything).

However, I can see how he would agree with his father's actions (beheadings, etc.) because there is clearly a LOT of idolization and idealization going on with him and his father, and while Soo Won is portrayed as a fundamentally kind man, this DID all start with him murdering Yona's father, his uncle. Yes, it was for (perceived?) revenge reasons and to speed up his ascension to Kinghood (side note: which begs the question, why the rushed timeline? Something else is clearly in play that we haven't been told about yet) but it was still murder, and while he clearly didn't want Yona to die, he was going to allow her to be beheaded as well right in front of him if Hak hadn't stopped it.

All things considered, I still hope this thing with Xing will not be the start of a downward spiral for him because in all those other situations he showed keen insight and judgement, and actually managed to make things happen despite bureaucracy.

So, I guess we'll see what happens--whatever it ends up being, I'm ready to enjoy the ride ;).

same here