MagnoliaCream

Apologies for my strong language. By "raunchy" I meant sexually explicit and for me, kissing between lovers, is. Any scene that elicits a response from the audience that is more than a heart flutter is, for me, explicit. I guess I'm prudish who considers Bridgerton porn. In any case, my strong language was directed at saboteurs, if any.

Regarding the near-rape scene, I agree, it should have been censored, or at least tamed down. In another thread, another commenter explained that perhaps it's the female behavior in the relationship that determines censorship. A passive female is acceptable but an amorous female, which is a sign of Western influence, is not. Since the female in that near-rape scene was not amorous, disgusted even, it got through censorship.

As for the eunuch reveal, here's why I'm ok with what was shown:
In ep 20, Yinlou investigates the pills Xiao Duo has been taking and finds out it is to inhibit male characteristics. Being the intelligent girl that she is, she figures it out, noting that XD has something Cao Chun'ang doesn't; that he's a little different from other eunuchs. The next scenes are about XD setting the trap for the Prince of Nanyuan. While YL waits for XD in Mengyun Pavilion, she recalls a conversation she and XD had before he left for the sting operation. XD confessed to YL that, though he told her his brother was a eunuch, he didn't say he is too. For me, this scene was enough because at this time, it wasn't anymore a secret to YL and the audience that he was a fake eunuch.

may I know which flows were adversely affected by cut scenes? I have watched the episodes twice and haven't noticed any part that have been rendered incoherent because of cut scenes.

Editing is a basic step in the movie/drama-making process. The phrase "scene ended up on the cutting-room floor" is well-known. Yet, I haven't heard of viewers clamoring for cut scenes as much as with this drama. And I think it's because in most cases, there are no BTS of censored cut scenes. If viewers don't know what's missing, they won't clamor for it. Thus my question: who leaked those BTS of censored cut scenes? If the scenes had been censored, why still release their BTS? I remember during filming, there were hardly any footages of the progress. Yet now, censored scenes have been included in BTS clips? Something just smells fishy and the stink is affecting the performance of this drama.

oh no, that is too gruesome! that is the kind of scene that should be censored. I'll take the faking of death anytime

yeah, the ending was a bit rushed. There were things taken for granted. He came back to life probably because of the loving care Orchid has been giving the moon-shaped bone containing his primordial sprit which she hang in Arbiter Hall, the same way that Orchid came back to life after DFQC lovingly tended to the plant containing her primordial spirit. Regarding Glazedfire, I thought it was used to defeat the evil god. And I assumed that he had it when he came back because his smile looked sweet and loving yet possessing confidence that I attributed to him having the Glazedfire. There is probably a more definitive explanation, not just assumptions like mine. I'll try to find it.

I haven't seen the BTS clips but I've read descriptions of the deleted scenes. However, I'm following the plot and loving the drama well enough without the scenes. What I'm wondering about though is why BTS clips of deleted scenes from upcoming episodes are getting aired. Deleted scenes from past episodes have already caused much disappointment to viewers. If BTS clips with these deleted scenes have not been aired, then nobody would know that certain scenes have been deleted and there wouldn't be disgruntled viewers. And who are these people who know that the scenes in BTS clips are deleted before the episodes are aired? If the production company is the one leaking these deleted scenes, isn't it shooting itself in the foot? if it is sabotage, then fans of the drama should rally behind it.

I've been hearing reports that the ending of the drama is unexpected. I don't know whether it means it does not conform with the novel or something else, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed the novel ending is kept.

I've seen threads here that talk about the killer and the emperor's fate. But I don't dare find out yet :)

yeah, too much make-up on male actors turned me off cdramas and kdramas at first. Later on, I realized that the viewing pleasure does increase when you cannot see the pimples and craters on actors' faces :) However, I find too much lipstick on actors look really unnatural. And Dylan is already good-looking, he does not need unnatural ways to enhance his looks.

Sigh! I just read a Twitter post that shows deleted scenes from upcoming episodes. I've posted about this before, but I really am baffled so pardon my bringing this up again. Who are releasing these BTS clips that feature deleted scenes from upcoming episodes? If it's the production company, they really should take the saying, "No expectations, no disappointment" to heart and stop showing BTS clips of deleted scenes as they only cause disappointment, hence, disgruntled viewers.

But right now, I'm getting more convinced this is sabotage. If so, I would just like to say something. to the saboteurs. I'm really glad raunchy scenes were removed. These scenes seem desperate attempts to gain viewership and only desperate performers need to do them. Dylan has proven himself to be a good actor who can attract viewers without resorting to such tactics. His gaze alone can melt viewers' hearts. The drama has a compelling plot with a swoon-worthy romance that does not need raunchy scenes to spice it up.

In ep 20, Yinlou investigates the pills Xiao Duo has been taking and finds out it is to inhibit male characteristics. Being the intelligent girl that she is, she figures it out, telling Tongyun that XD does act differently from other eunuchs, that he has something other eunuchs don't have. The next scenes are about XD setting the trap for the Prince of Nanyuan. While YL waits for XD in Mengyun Pavilion, she recalls a conversation she and XD had, apparently that time when eunuch Cao was surprised when he opened a room before XD set out to trap the prince. It was when XD confessed to YL that, though he told her his brother was a eunuch, he didn't say he is too. For me, that was enough because at this time, it wasn't anymore a secret to YL and the audience that he was a fake eunuch. Furthermore, XD had more important things to do.

Based on discussions in other threads, the following might be the reasons for the strict censorship of UL:
- new regulations in Chinese entertainment industry
- theme of UL, about a eunuch who uses his beauty to climb the ladder, is scandalous
- Dylan's popularity caused a Level A (low-budget) drama to be considered key project thus incurring more interest from reviewers
- the scenes were probably really steamy

i love how they are so at ease with each other. When the camera focuses on their backs while they are simply relishing each other's company (like when they were walking together after finding eunuch ba and when they were sitting together by the river), it's so heartwarming

I have not reached the ending of the novel yet, but from previous posts here, Xiao Duo and Bu Yinlou get married and have 2 kids

it's such a beautiful relationship. They both trust each other's goodness. Thus, even after she said the most hurtful things to him, his love persisted. He probably knows she had a reason for hurting him so. They are well matched in intelligence and values. They belong together.

oh yeah, ep 32, when DFQC's dream started disappearing, when Arbiter Hall was slowly disintegrating, that was also heart-wrenching. Dylan is so good at portraying a wretched character

Why does Xiao Duo love Bu Yinlou so much? She sees the best part of him, telling him, ""... you're a good person. You suffered so much but you only wish that others won't have to suffer like you did. You seem to have done countless evils but your sword only kills corrupt officials. Your reputation is sullied but you are truly protecting this country and its people."

He hated himself before, she made him like himself. That's the best gift anybody can give a tortured soul like Xiao Duo.

i guess what happened would be a warning for production teams to be careful of BTS clips they release - make sure they release only those of scenes that make it to the finished product. Otherwise, viewers would be left hankering after scenes that don't make it

if you had finished the series and still don't understand, please let me know

i like it that he does not wear a lot of lipstick here. He looks better as natural as possible.

It's really good. There's currently a ruckus about deleted scenes thus the rating went from 8.8 to 8. I haven't seen the cut scenes so I'm not aware of anything missing. I'm able to follow the story well and enjoying it immensely. Dylan never looked so good. And his Xiao Duo is as formidable as Dongfang Qingcang.

i hope so. hope they don't go Princess Agents