All episodes watched. The plot twists were just out there (more than a few and each well portrayed from characters' point of view). As a novice to the story, I could never have seen them coming. 

The women were 'spectacular'. Each in their own way. You cannot simply call them crazy or power-driven like Yan Ze or Yan Han. Behind their choices lied attempts to preserve their or their offspring's lives, to avenge lost loved ones, to preserve the nation & not disturb the court, or in the Dowager's case, to accept and hope for the best. I found the Dowager most pitiful (quite surprised they didn't write her character as going insane or overwhelmed with grief).