On December 12, 2014, Netflix debuted its latest original series, Marco Polo Netflix. This grand 10-episode series aimed to bring the 13th-century adventures of the Italian explorer Marco Polo to life, blending historical drama, romance, and epic kung fu battles. With an ambition reminiscent of Game of Thrones, it sought to carve out a niche in the crowded landscape of historical dramas.

What’s the Show About?

Instead of following Marco Polo’s travels directly, the series immerses viewers in the court of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and a pivotal figure in Mongol history. Marco Polo explores Kublai Khan’s efforts to consolidate his vast empire amidst internal strife and rebellion. The show features Polo as an outsider trying to navigate this complex world, offering a fresh perspective on the Mongol Empire’s political intrigues.

Is It Worth Watching?

While Marco Polo boasts impressive production values, the series falls short in several areas:

Strengths:

1. Stunning Production Design: The series shines with its high production quality. The visuals are breathtaking, featuring expansive landscapes and meticulously crafted sets that bring the Mongol Empire to life.
2. Complex Female Characters: The show stands out for its nuanced portrayal of women, particularly through Joan Chen’s portrayal of Empress Chabi and Zhu Zhu’s role as the Blue Princess. Their strong performances add depth to the series.
3. Engaging Action Sequences: The action scenes, including kung fu choreography and large-scale battles, are well-executed and provide a visual feast for fans of historical action.

Weaknesses:

1. Lack of Dramatic Depth: The series often feels dramatically inert. Characters’ goals are overshadowed by the grand narrative of the empire, leading to a lack of personal stakes and emotional engagement.
2. Boring Main Character: Lorenzo Richelmy’s portrayal of Marco Polo fails to make the character compelling. Polo’s journey into Kublai Khan’s court becomes monotonous, and the show’s focus on him detracts from more interesting aspects of the story.
3. Overemphasis on Production: While visually impressive, the series sometimes prioritizes spectacle over substance. The beautiful cinematography and sets cannot compensate for a lackluster storyline and underdeveloped characters.

Why Is the Show Like This?

Originally developed for Starz, Marco Polo was intended to be a high-budget historical drama in the vein of Spartacus. However, its shift to Netflix, which often prioritizes surface appeal, may have contributed to its lackluster storytelling. The series’s cancellation after two seasons, reportedly resulting in a $200 million loss for Netflix, underscores its failure to resonate with audiences despite its high production values.

Cast and Characters Overview

Main Cast:

• Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco Polo: A Venetian merchant’s son who travels to China and becomes an esteemed guest and official in Kublai Khan’s court.
• Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan: The fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, known for his ambitious rule and leadership.
• Joan Chen as Empress Chabi: Kublai Khan’s most significant wife and an influential unofficial adviser.
• Rick Yune as Kaidu: Kublai Khan’s cousin and rival, leading the House of Ögedei.
• Amr Waked as Yusuf (Season 1): The Khan’s Vice Regent, involved in key political maneuvers.
• Remy Hii as Prince Jingim: The Khan’s legitimate son and heir to the throne.
• Zhu Zhu as Nergui, also known as Princess Kokachin: A servant who pretends to be the Blue Princess from the Bayaut tribe.
• Tom Wu as Hundred Eyes: A blind Taoist monk, mentor to Marco Polo and Jingim, who is enslaved to the Khan.
• Mahesh Jadu as Ahmad: The Khan’s Minister of Finance and adopted son, originally from Bukhara.
• Olivia Cheng as Jia Mei Lin: The late Emperor Lizong of Song’s concubine and sister to Chancellor Jia Sidao.
• Uli Latukefu as Byamba: The Khan’s illegitimate son and a general in both the Mongol horde and the imperial army.
• Chin Han as Jia Sidao: Chancellor to the Song Emperors Huaizong and Duanzong, and Mei Lin’s brother.
• Pierfrancesco Favino as Niccolò Polo: Marco Polo’s father and a Venetian merchant.
• Ron Yuan as Prince Nayan (Season 2): Kublai’s uncle and a Nestorian Christian.
• Claudia Kim as Khutulun (Season 2; recurring in Season 1): Kaidu’s daughter, a formidable warrior and the Khan’s niece.
• Jacqueline Chan as Shabkana (Season 2): Kaidu’s mother.
• Leonard Wu as Orus (Season 2): Kaidu’s son.
• Thomas Chaanhing as Gerel (Season 2): A khan loyal to Kaidu.
• Chris Pang as Arban (Season 2): Another khan loyal to Kaidu.
• Gabriel Byrne as Pope Gregory X (Season 2): The head of the Catholic Church during this period.
• Michelle Yeoh as Lotus (Season 2): A Taoist nun tasked with protecting the Song Dynasty’s young emperor.

Recurring Cast:

• Corrado Invernizzi as Maffeo Polo (Season 1): Marco’s uncle.
• Tan Kheng Hua as Xie Daoqing (Season 1): Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty.
• Lawrence Makoare as Za Bing (Season 1): Princess Kokachin’s eunuch protector.
• Vanessa Vanderstraaten as Princess Sorga (Season 1): One of Jingim’s wives.
• Patrick Teoh as General Red Brow (Season 1).
• Shu An Oon as Jing Fei (Season 1): Mei Lin’s friend and an imperial concubine.
• Chloe Luthi (Season 1) and Jaime Chew (Season 2) as Ling Ling: Mei Lin’s daughter and the former Emperor’s child.
• Nicholas Bloodworth as Tulga (Season 1): Kokachin’s guardian.
• Max Kellady as Emperor Duzong: Son of the Empress Dowager and the former Emperor of the Song Dynasty.
• Soffi Jikan as Milo Boy (Season 1).
• Mano Maniam as The Old Man / Hassan-i Sabbah (Season 1).
• Daniel Tuiara as Sukh (Season 2): Ahmad’s loyal Burmese warrior.
• Tosh Zhang as Bai (Season 2).
• Byambadorj Altanhuyag as General Qaban (Season 2).
• Esther Low as Kokachin (Season 2; guest in Season 1): The real Blue Princess of the Mongol Bayaut tribe.
• Jason Chong as General Kasar (Season 2).
• Chew Kin Wah as Song Loyalist 1 (Season 2).

Notable Guest Stars:

• Baljinnyamyn Amarsaikhan as Ariq Böke (Season 1): The Khan’s brother and overseer of Karakorum.
• Togo Igawa as Chuluun (Season 2).

Production Details:

Initially developed by Starz in January 2012, the project faced setbacks including filming issues in China, leading to its acquisition by The Weinstein Company. Netflix subsequently took over, investing approximately $90 million in a 10-episode season, making it one of the most expensive TV series globally, just behind Game of Thrones. Announced officially by Netflix in January 2014, the series was created by John Fusco and directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. Filming locations included Kazakhstan, Italy, Pinewood Studios in Malaysia, and outdoor settings in Slovakia and Hungary, with Kazakhstan representing Mongolia’s steppes, Malaysia as the primary base, Hungary depicting Renaissance Rome, and Slovakia providing mountainous backdrops for Season 2.

During pre-production, stuntman Ju Kun disappeared with Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Joan Chen prepared for her role by reading The Secret History of the Mongol Queens by Jack Weatherford to authentically portray her character. John Fusco undertook extensive research, including traveling the Silk Road and studying historical documents.

The series received mixed reviews, with some Mongolian viewers criticizing historical inaccuracies, while others, like Orgil Makhaan, praised it as the most accurate portrayal of Mongolian culture by a foreign production.

Music:

The series features music from Mongolian bands Altan Urag and throat singer Batzorig Vaanchig, with Daniele Luppi composing the main theme and Peter Nashel and Eric V. Hachikian providing the original score.

Marco Polo on Netflix: Episode Guide and Overview

Marco Polo Netflix Series Overview:

• Season 1: Premiered on December 12, 2014, with 10 episodes.
• Special: Aired on December 26, 2015.
• Season 2: Premiered on July 1, 2016, with 10 episodes.

Marco Polo Netflix Season 1 (2014)

1. “The Wayfarer” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg, written by John Fusco. Marco Polo, having traveled through seas, deserts, and the Silk Road, finds himself imprisoned by the powerful Kublai Khan.
2. “The Wolf and the Deer” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg, written by John Fusco. Kublai Khan confronts betrayal from his brother Ariq in the siege of WuChang, setting the stage for a fierce showdown.
3. “Feast” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by Alik Sakharov, written by Michael Chernuchin. Marco’s relationship with the Blue Princess Kokachin grows as political tensions rise, and he learns about the art of Kung Fu from Hundred Eyes.
4. “The Fourth Step” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by Alik Sakharov, written by Brett Conrad. As war looms with Xiangyang, Marco faces imprisonment and must navigate intricate political machinations involving Kublai’s family.
5. “Hashshashin” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by Daniel Minahan, written by Patrick Macmanus. Marco searches for the mastermind behind an assassination attempt on Kublai Khan while the threat of Hashshashin assassins looms.
6. “White Moon” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by Daniel Minahan, written by Dave Erickson. As assassination plots unfold, Marco uncovers Mei Lin’s failed attempt to kill Kublai’s queen, leading to dramatic confrontations.
7. “The Scholar’s Pen” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by David Petrarca, written by Michael Chernuchin. Marco and Hundred Eyes undertake a risky mission to Xiangyang amidst internal power struggles.
8. “Rendering” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by John Maybury, written by Brett Conrad. The siege of Xiangyang begins, and Marco grapples with betrayal and shifting allegiances as Kublai’s attack unfolds.
9. “Prisoners” (December 12, 2014)
   Directed by David Petrarca, written by Patrick Macmanus. Marco faces execution, and Kublai contemplates his next moves amidst internal and external threats.
10. “The Heavenly and Primal” (December 12, 2014)
    Directed by John Maybury, written by John Fusco. Kublai’s ambitious plans for world domination are put to the test, and Marco faces a pivotal choice between duty and love.

Marco Polo Netflix Christmas Special (2015)

• “One Hundred Eyes” (December 26, 2015)
  Directed by Alik Sakharov, written by John Fusco. This 30-minute special delves into the origin story of Hundred Eyes, revealing his transformation into a legendary warrior-monk.

Marco Polo Netflix Season 2 (2016)

11. “Hunter and the Sable Weaver” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by Daniel Minahan, written by John Fusco. The season premiere reintroduces viewers to the world of Marco Polo, highlighting Kublai Khan’s political and familial struggles.
12. “Hug” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by David Petrarca, written by Patrick Macmanus. Marco and Mei Lin’s journey with the boy emperor reveals intense political maneuvering and personal conflicts.
13. “Measure Against the Linchpin” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by Daniel Minahan, written by Elizabeth Sarnoff. Kublai faces the fallout from his decisions, while Marco and Kublai embark on a critical journey to assess Kaidu’s threat.
14. “Let God’s Work Begin” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by David Petrarca, written by Kate Barnow. The episode explores international politics and religious conflicts, setting up the tension for the season’s climax.
15. “Lullaby” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by Jon Amiel, written by Bruce Marshall Romans. Rebellions and political intrigue unfold as Kublai prepares to challenge Kaidu, and Ahmad’s betrayal becomes evident.
16. “Serpent’s Terms” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by Jon Amiel, written by Noelle Valdivia. Kublai’s strategies and personal conflicts come to a head, with significant developments involving his opponents and allies.
17. “Lost Crane” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by Alik Sakharov, written by Matthew White. The episode delves into past connections and present betrayals, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power.
18. “Whitehorse” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by James McTeigue, written by Elizabeth Sarnoff & Patrick Macmanus. As battles intensify, alliances shift and betrayals are revealed, setting the stage for the season finale.
19. “Heirs” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by James McTeigue, written by Kate Barnow. The Khan’s forces clash with rivals, leading to dramatic revelations and a pivotal battle that impacts the fate of the empire.
20. “The Fellowship” (July 1, 2016)
    Directed by Alik Sakharov, written by Elizabeth Sarnoff & Patrick Macmanus. The season concludes with a decisive Kurultai and the introduction of a new adversary, foreshadowing future conflicts.

Why Watch Marco Polo on Netflix?

Marco Polo offers a captivating blend of historical drama and epic storytelling. With its intricate plot, rich historical settings, and dynamic characters, the series is a must-watch for fans of historical epics and adventure. Dive into the world of 13th-century Mongolia and witness the dramatic rise of Kublai Khan through the eyes of the legendary explorer Marco Polo.

Where to Watch Marco Polo ?

To watch the Marco Polo series, click on this link: MARCO POLO ALL SEASON

What to Watch Instead?

If you’re seeking compelling historical dramas, consider:

• Game of Thrones: For epic fantasy and complex storytelling.
• Outlander: A well-received period drama with engaging characters.
• Spartacus: A gripping series with strong narratives and action.
• Korean Dramas: The Slave Hunters, Empress Ki, and The Great Queen Seondeok offer fascinating stories set in medieval Asia.

For cinematic alternatives, the Chinese films Hero and Red Cliff provide rich, visually stunning narratives that surpass Marco Polo in both storytelling and production.

Final Note

Though Marco Polo offers a visually impressive look at medieval China, its shortcomings in storytelling and character development make it a less engaging experience. If you’re looking for a richly woven narrative with high production values, exploring other historical dramas or films might be a more rewarding choice.