<Tr> <Th> 13 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Hug" </Td> <Td> David Petrarca </Td> <Td> Patrick Macmanus </Td> <Td> July 1, 2016 (2016 - 07 - 01) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="6"> <P> Marco Polo and Mei Lin are traveling through the jungle with the boy emperor in their care . They're delivering the boy to Kublai, as Marco has been instructed, but their travel isn't so easy . The boy's protector, who's known only as The Handmaiden, is still chasing after them, somehow able to keep up with them despite traveling on foot . </P> <P> Meanwhile, Kaidu is doing everything he can to secure support in his claim to Kublai's throne . While on the one hand it's not a difficult sell because many believe Kublai stole the election long ago, there are also those who see going against Kublai as a dangerous act . Back in the new capital of Cambulac, Kublai is taking advice from his wife . She says that he needs to accept the challenge to his throne because Kaidu is operating within the law and any other approach would suggest weakness or deceit . </P> <P> Then, Marco and Mei Lin return with the boy emperor . The return sparks all kinds of intriguing relationships and power struggles . There's Kublai asserting his power over Mei Lin, even as Marco asks for leniency . There's Marco being "introduced" to the Blue Princess by Jingim, and the appropriate awkwardness that follows from the former secret romantic partners . Then there's the issue of what to do with the boy emperor . While Jingim and Marco suggest letting the boy fade from the public's memory by stashing him in a safe place, Ahmad suggests killing him and parading his head through the streets to send a message . Of course, this is the same man who's working with Mei Lin to overthrow Kublai, even telling her that she could see her daughter in exchange for bringing the boy emperor to the capital . </P> <P> The Blue Princess has a miscarriage, but Jingim is forgiving and understanding . Kaidu has his meeting with Nayan, who's preaching Christianity to the Mongolian masses, but they can't come to an agreement for him to back Kaidu's claim to the throne . And of course there's Marco telling Kublai of the many people in south China killing themselves, as they see the Mongolian presence not as liberation but as occupation . </P> The whole episode revolves around a single decision though: Will Kublai kill the boy emperor? As Ahmad brings the boy to Kublai, and leaves the two of them alone, it's clear the emperor is conflicted . He first brandishes a dagger but then hugs the boy, consoles him for he knows he's innocent . But, as he's hugging him, he suffocates him, his limp body falling to the floor as Marco stumbles upon the scene, a look of disgust crossing his face before the credits roll . </Td> </Tr> <P> Marco Polo and Mei Lin are traveling through the jungle with the boy emperor in their care . They're delivering the boy to Kublai, as Marco has been instructed, but their travel isn't so easy . The boy's protector, who's known only as The Handmaiden, is still chasing after them, somehow able to keep up with them despite traveling on foot . </P> <P> Meanwhile, Kaidu is doing everything he can to secure support in his claim to Kublai's throne . While on the one hand it's not a difficult sell because many believe Kublai stole the election long ago, there are also those who see going against Kublai as a dangerous act . Back in the new capital of Cambulac, Kublai is taking advice from his wife . She says that he needs to accept the challenge to his throne because Kaidu is operating within the law and any other approach would suggest weakness or deceit . </P>

When is the third season of marco polo coming out