Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Cheoljong rescues the queen from the lake, believing that she has tried to end her life again. Bong-hwan knows that his attempt to return home has simply failed. The king's concern changes their dealings with each other, but even an agreement about keeping their distance goes wrong. Bong-hwan wants separation, while Cheoljong understands their promise in a more companionable way. Sharing the same words does little to make their intentions clear.
The Jo faction petitions to depose the queen because of her conduct, and Cheoljong refuses to let the demand stand. Byeong-in also works to protect So-yong, although his approach brings him into conflict with the king. Bong-hwan looks for influence of his own, combining the food delivery service with servants who can spread a kinder account of the lake incident. The resulting rumours are difficult to control and bring more resentment from Hwa-jin.
With water offering no escape, Bong-hwan considers whether a ritual might send him back to his own body. The Queen Dowager's shaman interprets the queen's behaviour as the presence of an unwanted spirit and prepares to act against her. Elsewhere, the scarred eunuch attacks O-wol, keeping the struggle between palace factions deadly. The episode ends by linking the two periods: Bong-hwan's modern body suffers a crisis, and the queen suddenly collapses in Joseon.