The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 17

The Hardest Episode I've Ever Watched

Despite the many dramas I've watched, I have never written reviews for them, let alone episode reviews. The reason I do so for this one in particular is to express the absolute gut wrenching pain and hurt I experienced over a fictional series meant for entertainment. [Spoilers ahead!]I knew what was going to happen. From when I first read the series description, to the obvious foreshadowing, to the opening credits and episode thumbnails, Mingyi taking Yanyan as his wife/concubine over Han Derang was the furthest thing from a surprise or twist. Despite all this, this episode has been the hardest thing to watch across all cdramas. I give this episode a 1 star rating not because the execution or production was bad - in fact, it was the opposite - but this is the only way I can convey the mixture of sadness, rage, pain, frustration, and disappointment that I felt watching those scenes unfold (would've rated it zero but Derang punching Mingyi was so satisfying). I'll probably comment on this as well when I review the show overall, but it is just the worst feeling to see things come to this. To see Yanyan treated like this. To see Derang treated like this. To see Mingyi resort to this. His supposed attraction for Yanyan is not genuine love - it's this sort of weird obsession because she happened to be the first girl he interacted with. Mingyi copes with his decision of betraying two of his best friends with the delusion that Yanyan will achieve great things for the dynasty by his side. But why is that the only way she can contribute to governance?? Why not make her a court advisor/official like Derang? Someone so set on reform and innovation is still so narrow-minded when it comes to the ways in which women can contribute to politics. This is probably the first and only time I will ever review an episode. If anyone ever sees this before watching, good luck - because you won't be ready no matter how hard you try.

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