This review may contain spoilers
First half the best but second half lost that charm .
Overall, a very good drama despite its many flaws I listed below. One of the very few period dramas I really enjoyed from the first to the last.
What I liked
1. First half is just beautiful. The leads, every single characters that you come across has a personality and you recognise their quirks at the get go. Even the Xigu Valley is a character in itself. This is so rare these days to see that kind of immersive narration.
2. The leads. Their acting and chemistry from the get go is sizzling. The Linan arc for them is just so so fresh and good. I loved how they setup the leads. The way FL recognises that ML was the one who fought those goons at the house was chef's kiss. She is not dumb and naive. She is strong, resourceful, smart and kind. I love that about her. She is such a lovely character through and through. ML as well . You can see from the get go that he is not someone he pretends to be with his subtle expression changes.
3. The child artists specially ChangNing is such a cutie and did so well.
4 The little detailing and having almost every character shelved out well.
5. Absolutely loved the cinematography. The lighting, the setup, costumes and makeup. Both the leads looked stunning throughout in their different attires. Be it in village, military or noble attires. Specially ZLH look was the best out of all periodic dramas he did so far.
6. Comedic effects in the first half was too good. I laughed out loud many a times.
What could have been better and ended up dropping my overall rating
1. Second half in general. It was rushed with a lot of cuts confusing what is going on. I guess 40 episode limit was the major culprit.
2. Rushed growth of FL. Yes they showed her learning but it was not enough for the level of growth they showed. She is treated equal to ML by episode 35 which seems unrealistic.
3. Ridiculous court scenes. The comedic route they took for court scenes and the emperor did not work for me. Specially the way FL treats the senior members of the court too was a bit too arrogant considering her status compared to others. I know she is a simple village girl but when she knows how to behave in front of judicial officer back in Linan it is not like she is naive enough to speak rudely in the court. I know they are bad people but that does not mean a newbie can talk however they want. Her breaking Li grandfather's carriage was something I loved because she did that in private but not the court scenes. It felt as if FL had too much leeway just because she was FL and the director need to show her brave and strong. She does so many questionable things throughout like drugging ML, knocking out a commander officer when she just joined army minutes ago with zero repercussions. Instead the commander kneels to her and apologises because he thinks he was wrong. What!
4. Too much preachy. I have seen that many of modern sensibilities are sort of forced on these periodic dramas which pulls me out of the story. In the story setting, ML is older and has more experience but even then they have the need to show that when they fight she is holding back if he wins. When they are in battlefield, she has to fight beside him and refuses to stand behind him. Instead she gives the option whom to fight with to ML so she will fight whoever he leaves out. That does not make sense. He is Marquis and she just joined at most a few months back. I don't get it. It is so unrealistic in a historical setting. Women can be strong but still be second to someone more experienced. They are mutually exclusive. FL can be allowed to be second to ML and other senior officers in terms of prowess (not in the relationship mind you). That does not make her weak. It shows her grit to better herself . But no she will not entertain such things.
5. Too many unnecessary scenes of villain forcing himself on the woman he is obsessed with. Showing one or two scene was enough for us to get the equation. But they literally have more kisses and so called sensual (it is r**e scene basically ) scenes romanticising them which did not sit well with me. Instead they could have showed more of leads.
What I liked
1. First half is just beautiful. The leads, every single characters that you come across has a personality and you recognise their quirks at the get go. Even the Xigu Valley is a character in itself. This is so rare these days to see that kind of immersive narration.
2. The leads. Their acting and chemistry from the get go is sizzling. The Linan arc for them is just so so fresh and good. I loved how they setup the leads. The way FL recognises that ML was the one who fought those goons at the house was chef's kiss. She is not dumb and naive. She is strong, resourceful, smart and kind. I love that about her. She is such a lovely character through and through. ML as well . You can see from the get go that he is not someone he pretends to be with his subtle expression changes.
3. The child artists specially ChangNing is such a cutie and did so well.
4 The little detailing and having almost every character shelved out well.
5. Absolutely loved the cinematography. The lighting, the setup, costumes and makeup. Both the leads looked stunning throughout in their different attires. Be it in village, military or noble attires. Specially ZLH look was the best out of all periodic dramas he did so far.
6. Comedic effects in the first half was too good. I laughed out loud many a times.
What could have been better and ended up dropping my overall rating
1. Second half in general. It was rushed with a lot of cuts confusing what is going on. I guess 40 episode limit was the major culprit.
2. Rushed growth of FL. Yes they showed her learning but it was not enough for the level of growth they showed. She is treated equal to ML by episode 35 which seems unrealistic.
3. Ridiculous court scenes. The comedic route they took for court scenes and the emperor did not work for me. Specially the way FL treats the senior members of the court too was a bit too arrogant considering her status compared to others. I know she is a simple village girl but when she knows how to behave in front of judicial officer back in Linan it is not like she is naive enough to speak rudely in the court. I know they are bad people but that does not mean a newbie can talk however they want. Her breaking Li grandfather's carriage was something I loved because she did that in private but not the court scenes. It felt as if FL had too much leeway just because she was FL and the director need to show her brave and strong. She does so many questionable things throughout like drugging ML, knocking out a commander officer when she just joined army minutes ago with zero repercussions. Instead the commander kneels to her and apologises because he thinks he was wrong. What!
4. Too much preachy. I have seen that many of modern sensibilities are sort of forced on these periodic dramas which pulls me out of the story. In the story setting, ML is older and has more experience but even then they have the need to show that when they fight she is holding back if he wins. When they are in battlefield, she has to fight beside him and refuses to stand behind him. Instead she gives the option whom to fight with to ML so she will fight whoever he leaves out. That does not make sense. He is Marquis and she just joined at most a few months back. I don't get it. It is so unrealistic in a historical setting. Women can be strong but still be second to someone more experienced. They are mutually exclusive. FL can be allowed to be second to ML and other senior officers in terms of prowess (not in the relationship mind you). That does not make her weak. It shows her grit to better herself . But no she will not entertain such things.
5. Too many unnecessary scenes of villain forcing himself on the woman he is obsessed with. Showing one or two scene was enough for us to get the equation. But they literally have more kisses and so called sensual (it is r**e scene basically ) scenes romanticising them which did not sit well with me. Instead they could have showed more of leads.
Was this review helpful to you?
