American Perspectives: Meet Princess Bao Na ("The Wolf" Ep. 10)

Initially, Princess Bao Na is very off putting as she comes across as a primadonna.  She gets better in later episodes, however, and she can be hilarious.  She is also one of my unexpectedly favorite characters.

Actually, I kind of knew I was going to like her when Prince Bo was talking about her slipping laxatives in his tea during a past encounter.  I thought, "Ok, this woman *might* be a threat to Ma Zhaixing, but I have a feeling I'm going to like her.  I have a feeling she's going to be an assertive woman who doesn't put up with any crap.  While I did not like her in this episode, I found myself liking her later on.  I especially loved her eventual friendship with Ma Zhaixing.  I love unlikely friendships with women, which start off with the mentality of, "When I first met you, I thought you were a bitch."

In Episode 10, she is off putting as she insists on having a red carpet rolled out for her, and her servants throwing flower petals while she walks across it. (I was immediately reminded of Mariah Carey).  She assumes Ma Zhaixing is a servant, and has no idea that Prince Bo is engaged.  So, she does make an ass out of herself.  Ma Zhaixing insists that Princess Bao Na is to not be informed of the engagement, so her interest in Prince Bo can be used for political purposes.  It doesn't bode well, however, when Prince Bo plays the part of interested suitor a little too well. (If we're being honest with ourselves, ladies, it never does).  But, he makes it up to Ma Zhaixing by getting her a nifty little perfume pouch, and coming through for her when Princess Bao Na takes things a smidge too far.