Better than Season 1!!!
The cases are interesting, all have different settings and themes. And not easily guessed and plot twists abound too! I've grown really fond of the main characters and was sad when the show was over. Their comradery and friendship really grew in this season. In S1 i found Lu Lingfeng overbearing and arrogant, but he has decent character development here. Even Pei Xijun had immense growth and got to showcase her intellignce and grace. There is minimal romance and the show focuses heavily on strange tales and cases. Its definitely deserving of more than a 8!Was this review helpful to you?
Well written mystery drama
I'm surprised this isn't rated much higher because it is solidly written. This is one of those 'supernatural incidents turns out to have human causes' mystery dramas. Those dramas tend to have endings that seem pretty anti climatic but this drama gives its mysteries really satisfying endings. It's a nice balance between character driven and logic driven. Definitely one of the best mystery dramas I've watched in a while.The drama's also segmented into separate mysteries with the same few main characters carrying throughout the plot. I really like this because I hated sitting through 40-eps of constant build up, but also didn't like watching short dramas. This is like the best of both worlds.
Onto the acting: this is I think some of the most natural and organic acting I've seen across the board. However some of the characters seem a bit dull. Lu Ling Feng is the serious righteous guy and Su Wu Ming the chill guy who always seems like he sees two steps ahead, so they're both kind of boring to listen to in their own way. I wish they had a bit more flair like other detective characters I've watched since we need to see them talk *a lot*. SWM especially gets long long speeches and has a much slower speaking speed than I'm used to and I sometimes feel tempted to put him at 1.5x speed. There's nothing wrong with them as characters: like..they portray realistic human beings, often much better than other shows I've seen, but I don't think they are interesting enough to carry such a dialogue heavy drama. However the comments I've seen elsewhere showed that this is a pretty unpopular opinion, and people especially loved to watch SWM.
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A Drama Where History, Mystery, and Humanity Converge
In an era when historical C-dramas often opt for romance, fantasy, or visual excess rather than substance, Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty: To The West stands as a quiet masterpiece of restraint, intelligence, and emotional honesty. Unlike most dramas where sequels are less impressive, Strange Tales is different: its second season actually refines the first. A deepening. A journey not only westward across the Tang frontier but inward, into the moral complexities of justice, memory, and human frailty.A World Built on Respect for History
This drama clearly knows its world. Scriptwriter Wei Fenghua—a noted Tang historian weaves historical references into the fabric of the story. We see real artifacts: the Golden Bowl with Mandarin Ducks and Lotus Petals (a genuine Tang treasure now housed in museums), silver incense sachets (xiangnang) with intricate chainwork, Dunhuang cave murals, and even Dugu Xin's seal. Even the food is meticulously recreated: Shushan, one of the earliest forms of ice cream, served in lotus bowls; lamb-filled pancakes; Bo Tuo noodle soup—all documented in Tang texts.
But what truly stunned me were the forensic methods. The red oil-paper umbrella held over a corpse to reveal hidden bruises through light refraction. The sticky rice dough pressed onto skin to detect concealed injuries. The sealed rice ball test for poison. While China's first forensic manual (Xi Yuan Ji Lu) wasn't compiled until the Song Dynasty, these techniques reflect plausible proto-forensic practices that likely circulated orally long before. Their inclusion is a testament to the show's commitment to grounding even its strangest tales in tangible reality.
Mysteries That Honor the Audience's Intelligence
Season 2 follows Lu Lingfeng as he's appointed sheriff of Yunding, a frontier town on the western edge of the empire—hence the title "To The West". Accompanied by Su Wuming, Pei Xijun, Master Fei, and Ying Tao, their journey mirrors Journey to the West in structure but replaces celestial demons with human ones: grief, corruption, betrayal, and forgotten oaths.
Each case is a self-contained novella, and the drama cleverly shifts between mystery subgenres. Most episodes are classic whodunits, inviting us to discover the killer alongside the team. This is the demanding, high-cognitive-load style—the kind that keeps your brain spinning with suspect matrices, hidden clues, and unresolved patterns. For me, that meant binge-watching three to five episodes a day, because each resolution only made me hungry for the next puzzle. A few episodes are inverted detective stories, revealing the culprit early and letting us savor the tension of how justice will catch up. And the remaining are hybrids, playing with our expectations and shifting the hidden truth mid-stream. This variety keeps the storytelling fresh and respects the audience's intelligence at every turn. Unlike the calming, sleep-friendly inverted style of shows like Justice Bao, Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty To The West thrives on intrusive suspense—and I loved every demanding moment of it. If you like high dopamine with quick reward, this is the drama for you.
"The Death of the Coroner" left me breathless—not for its twist, but for its devastating emotional truth. "Letter from Shangxian Hall" channels Agatha Christie's elegance, with a solution so fair and inevitable it feels like poetry. "Snowstorm at Mojiadian" uses isolation and silence to build unbearable tension, while "Mara's Defeat" explores faith, manipulation, and redemption with remarkable nuance. And in the season's poignant finale, "The Provider" unravels a child's death tied to a cruel tradition—and reveals how greed, not love, can hide behind the mask of sacrifice.
Crucially, the drama never treats viewers as a passive audience. It invites us to observe, deduce, and question. There are no *deus ex machina* reveals. Every conclusion is earned through logic, empathy, and attention to detail.
Characters Who Grow Without Breaking
Yang Xuwen returns as Lu Lingfeng with even greater depth. The brash young general of Season 1 is gone. He's now more patient, measured without losing his resolution. Less arrogant and more humble. Yang Zhigang's Su Wuming remains the soulful anchor, the ultimate source of wisdom and deductive brilliance for their team.
The ensemble chemistry is flawless. Pei Xijun's intelligence, Master Fei's loyalty, Ying Tao's quiet strength—they all serve the story,. And refreshingly, the focus stays on their collective mission, not manufactured romantic tension.
One Small Imperfection
I give this 9.5/10—not 10—only because of the faint romantic threads in the drama: Lu Lingfeng with Pei Xijun, and Su Wuming with Yingtao. Neither pairing seems built to serve the plot. Rather, they feel like an additional topping on an ice cream that is already good on its own—pleasant enough, but ultimately unnecessary. Without the romance, the group dynamics would still work perfectly. It's hard not to suspect that the creators added these threads mainly to attract a certain demographic of viewers. The romance is minimal, tasteful, and far less intrusive than in most C-dramas, but I believe the story would have been even more powerful with purely platonic bonds. In a drama so committed to realism and intellectual partnership, even a whisper of romance feels slightly out of key. That said, it never overshadows the core narrative—and I understand its roots in Season 1.
Final Thoughts
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty: To The West is a rare gift: a historical drama that respects its audience's mind and heart equally. It doesn't dazzle with spectacle. You can feel the creators' sincerity—they just wanted to tell a good story. Every frame, every line of dialogue, every action is placed with care and passion.
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For season 2, viewers continue to follow Su Wuming, Lu Lingfeng, Pei Xijun, Ying Tao, and Fei Qiao as they encounter mysteries in their journey west away from Changan. Also viewers learns about Lu Lingfeng's royal background too.
Recommend to watch this drama. Haha, will probably check out Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 3 since I enjoyed season 1 and 2. Hope the production team and cast can keep to the elements that captivated viewers.
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Similar but better than the first
There are currently three or four seasons of this show out. I found the first season a decent enough watch, but not fully captivating, and ended up taking a several months break before watching this one. I’m happy to say that I enjoyed this second season a lot more.The overall approach is similar to the first, with 8 distinct cases (mostly murder) and little filler in between. The cases are fairly elaborate, sometimes with several intersecting schemes that our protagonists need to untangle. Not everything makes sense if you think hard enough, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s no need to think that hard.
The biggest reason I like this second season better is that I found the cases a lot more emotionally investable and interesting. More sympathy for some characters and dislike for others, more intrigue to know the truth. The exception is the large-scale but poorly motivated revolution in the middle, which I found pointless and boring.
I also didn’t really like the over-reliance on fantastical CGI creatures, which felt like a cop-out attempt to continue the “strange tales” theme. Whereas the first season properly worked in hints of the supernatural (to be debunked), these cases mostly deal with real things from the beginning. Except the weird animals. But they’re still decent stories even without the spookiness I’d come to expect. And the show is pretty good about punishing bad guys, though it also kills off some good guys, which makes it realistic but not overly stressful.
The overarching story has Lu Lingfeng and company ejected from the capital after one case, just like before. The demotion is a casualty of the intensifying power struggle between the princess and the crown prince. This framework comes into play a few times, but the show is mostly about the cases. The way it’s woven in is well-done.
The characters are very similar to the first season. Lu Lingfeng still has some personal development to do but has come a long way. It’s all fairly consistent; good writing. There is a little friction in the party at times, which adds some interest. The couples are still together but there isn’t much romance, which I was happy with. I still am not too attached to any of these characters and there is a bit too much pride in the nation and pontificating about the good of the people, but I found them all likeable enough and was mostly interested in their work.
The production seems to have gotten a budget bump- at least the fight choreography is quite good, with some very creative sequences. I was impressed. And although this wasn’t shot on location, the scenery is also quite nice. The “West” they are sent to seems to refer to the northwest of China along the Silk Road (the Hanzhou they pass through seems to be Wuwei in Gansu, and they later make it to Dunhuang). Think desert and camels- yes, real camels!- for some unique and pretty settings.
For music, songs are not used much and I only remember two of them. But I think the ending song- though not personally my style in and of itself- really captures the feel of this westward journey very well, and I ended up liking it because it’s so evocative and fits this show so well. What I remember of the BGM is also pretty good, but I didn’t notice it that much.
Overall I enjoyed this show, except for the one story arc, and am looking forward to watching Season 3.
ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS
There’s actually not much to spoil, but this is a standard section I include with all my reviews. This show ends by setting up for the next season. The final case is just another case and then they are on the road back to Changan, where power struggles and more trouble awaits.
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A posse of sheriffs sizzling in the west
Season two jumps right in with the weird, macabre and fantastical. Our detectives are using their differences to complement rather than annoy each other as they travel the west. They find other sheriffs and likeminded officials to solve cases and actually help the people. All the sheriffs introduced this season have valuable skills to help our crew and are easy on the eyes. This season Lu loses his spear and I found myself missing Chicken Fei throwing him the pieces. Their cases still lean to the strange and unique that always lead to a web of conspiracies before finding the actual culprit. XiJun and YingTao provide lots of assists to keep their men out of trouble. Fei continues to make drinking his life, but still manages to be the hero that provides life changing cures wherever they go. XueHuan gets to join them as they make their way back to the capital. He has been commissioned by the Princess to keep Lu safe. The royals are still vying for power and their underlings the most determined to kill off Lu and Su before they make it back. Season 3 can’t get here soon enough. This season is every bit as good as season 1 if not better. So those that are already fans, make popcorn and grab a seat. Those that haven’t watched will also enjoy if they like tales on the dark side. I would recommend watching first season as some of the cases and people are continuations of their stories.Was this review helpful to you?
Exiled but Not Defeated: A New Chapter in Justice and Loyalty
The sequel picks up where the prequel left off—with both the Grand Princess and the Crown Prince deeply displeased with Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng. Though the pair had cracked one of the greatest crimes of their time, their pursuit of truth had not served the political interests of either faction. As a result, Lu Ling Feng was banished to the remote western frontier as Chief Sheriff. While Su Wu Ming, after taking a bold and risky approach to craftily reveal the secret connection between Lu and the Grand Princess, incurred the Crown Prince's wrath. He was stripped of all official titles and exiled from the capital.Forced to part ways, the two men left the capital separately—only for their paths to cross once more. On the surface, Su Wu Ming’s actions appeared to betray Lu Ling Feng. But Lu trusted that Su had acted with honourable purpose. Rather than turn him away, Lu welcomed Su as his advisor in his new post in the West.
No sooner had they arrived than they were confronted with a new mystery: civilians had been vanishing without a trace. True to form, the duo dived into the investigation, only to uncover yet another wide-reaching conspiracy.
As with the first series, the storytelling was gripping, the mystery layered, and the pacing well-handled. The culprit was not easy to guess, and the twists kept me engaged. I continue to rate this series highly. That said, I did find that some of the subplots in this sequel stretched credibility more than those in the original. So, while still excellent, I would deduct half a point for that. Still, it is a worthy continuation, and I remain eagerly invested in where the story will go in the next sequel yet to be released.
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Most favorite series Detective Dee Renjie's student (Su Wuming + Lu Lingfeng)
Season 2 more funny than season 1, plot story getting more interesting. Once you watched season 1, you need season 2 and after finished season 2, you can't wait to know when season 3 airing!!! All episodes always worth to watch. No boring stories here. Usually i dislike female characters but in this drama all female characters so excellent and has important role. Lu Lingfeng's mother so good, either Crown Prince too. So don't know which side i should choose. Need to watch season 3 soon!!!Was this review helpful to you?
Pretty good, still.
It's good fun whenever there's a cool creepy case to solve. Every time there's court intrigue or Liu Linfeng is being a cop, it sucks.Also don't play the game where you drink when they do the Tang bow, you'll DIE.
Yeah, it's really enjoyable, but I still dislike all the jerking each other off about how great the Tang dynasty is, all the nationalist crap.
Yingtao is still best girl, the only real one on the show.
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An excellent, impressive, engaging sequel
The second season has far exceeded my expectations and also to be precise,the first season too.The cases the team of five dealt with are well written and the analysis and investigation parts were excellent.
Each and every case was very interesting and kept me hooked till the end.The last case was my favourite in particular.
The way even minute details were analysed and investigated was really impressive.
Also,the bond between the team of five stands as the main asset of this drama.Locations, costumes,sets,plot, twists and turns,logics,screenplay everything is perfect about this drama.
The actors gave their outstanding performances.
A highly impressive and entertaining and engaging sequel .
A highly recommended drama which is a must watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
A drama where everything is in the right place
This is a drama where the director knows what he's doing and why, the scriptwriters know how to write good scripts, the scenography department knows how to design the set, the CGI team knows how to avoid making it cringy and fake-looking, and the actors can actually act. It should be obvious, but this is really rare nowadays. This is the second season of SToTD, which is even better than the first one. I stronglly recommend it for ones who like well written detective story with good acting and great visuals.PLOT
After the first case ends with Lu Lingfeng unintentionally admitting to a certain familial connection, Su Wuming saves him in a way that, at first glance, seems somewhat controversial. LLF is exiled to the distant West. Su Wuming also has to leave the capital. After some time, the entire team, whether by chance or not, reunites to continue their journey to the West, solving more criminal cases along the way. The cases are unique, intresting and not obvious. One of the most surprising cases is when, due to a fortuitous set of circumstances, our team is forced to conceal a murder that took place in a mysterious guesthouse from the other guests. Hiding their true identities, the team, trapped in the guesthouse during a snowstorm, must find the murderer, who is one of the guests. What I particularly appreciate is that the subsequent cases are not merely used to advance the main characters' storyline or showcase their extraordinary abilities. In this series, the victims and perpetrators are as important as the main characters. They have clearly defined, memorable personalities and motives. The perpetrators are not cartoonish, one-dimensional embodiments of evil; on the contrary, they are often complex, and in some cases, the lines between who is actually the perpetrator and who is the victim become blurred. This deserves special mention and appreciation. The plot is intriguing from start to finish, and the pace is consistently maintained.
There are some complaints about lack of romance - both SWM and LLF have women who are the objects of their romantic interest, but the romance is not the most important theme of this series. The series primarily focuses on solving cases, as well as the growth and development of the characters during their journey, and their interpersonal relationships - co-operation, friendship, trust. This bit of romance adds depth to the portrayal of the main characters, makes them flesh-and-blood people. For me it is just perfect as it is and I am glad that this series isn’t trying to be everything and nothing at once by cramming in every film genre.
ACTING/CAST
Not just the main cast, but all supporting and guest roles are well performed. The performances of protagonists or antagonists in a few cases are truly remarkable and leave a lasting impression (for example, the Coroner's mother). The main team has great chemistry, and they truly make us believe in their bonds. The fight scenes are excellent, and I especially appreciate the male lead's scenes and his commanding general’s aura. He’s also a perfect choice for this type of character. In many dramas, the male lead is supposed to be a well-trained general, officer, or martial artist, but their physique tells a different story—often too skinny or lacking muscle. However, this ML is well-built and trained, making his role as Lu Lingfeng much more believable.
MUSIC
I focus on the visual aspects of films; they are more important to me then music, unless it is unique or annoying. Here all is good. As well as the quality of recorded sound .
VISUALS
Visually, it is a feast for the eyes. Some scenes are stunning and memorable. The costumes are beautiful and diverse. What I particularly appreciate is the choice of wigs—the hairlines that can make or break even the most attractive faces of the actors. What I particularly appreciate is the depiction of cultural richness, similar or even better to what was shown in the first season.
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It goes downhill from here
Such a fan of the first season. Went in flabbergasted with most of the main characters' developments. Dropped at the last arc.1. The good:
- Most of the stories are intriguing and thrilling.
- The acting is still solid across the board, including the guest stars. Pei Xi Jun becomes even more likeable.
Memorable arc characters included: The Coroner, Dugu Xia Shu (probably my favourite fumbling character of this series), Coroner's wife and mother, Hermit in Mo's Inn (suited Li Wen Han to a tee), Song A Mi, Shi Zi Xun (for the ridiculousness of this character and story), and Yunding's crazy cult leader.
- iQiyi's budget increase is so obvious with this production value.
- Good team dynamic.
2. The bad:
- The writing is uneven. Some stories are exciting, some are drags.
- I stopped caring about the series as it progressed and couldn't tolerate it any longer towards the end. I dropped the last story.
- The characters' gradual assassinations: Sun Wu Ming becomes a morally grey half-ass with debatable intelligence and detective skills. Ying Dao has nothing going on.
3. The ridiculous:
- The superhuman Lu Ling Feng. His HP recovering rate in season one raised my eyebrows, but still acceptable. But this season, my god.
- The overreaction and holier-than-thou attitudes of the royals.
- The child actors and characters acting prodigal and unchild-like (last arc).
- The Rhino pretty-boy, overly-confident, manipulative sect commander who also has superhuman abilities like Lu Ling Feng. The scenes of these two muscleheads are also ridic.
- The god of medicine who can cure anything Fei Qiao. (Still a likeable comedic source.)
Anyway...
- Favourite: Coroner's Death
- Good: Mara's Defeat, Drunk in Yunding
- 50/50: Mo's Inn in the Snowstorm, Rhino, Shangxianfang Letter
- Skipped: Qianzhong Dock, The Provider
Conclusion: Positive-to-mixed
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