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Good looking men in uniform - what's not to like!?
This was a pretty good drama. The story held together enough to follow without confusion and not get boring or too draggy. Characters were introduced and I could keep track. The actors did a great job in their roles, and I really liked the sense of loyalty and camaraderie they portrayed. Loved the brotherhood between the three best friends. ML & FL had great chemistry also. Chen Xing Xu was the big appeal for me. I loved him in this role, although I would have liked him to smirk less - but he was so good to look at, it didn't matter!Token annoying brainless female - Tan Sang Yu. When will the writers get it right not to write at least one obsessed, delusional female character into the plot? She was so irritating and bratty and served little or no purpose but to give women a bad name and be excessively annoying! How about not stalking a guy to get him to notice you, let alone like you! Ugh!
Saddest scenes were the ML losing the people he loved (especially Tan Si). The writers barely held the rest of the story lines together and tied everything up pretty nicely in the end. FL's expressions were a little wooden, but her chemistry with the ML made up for it.
Rewatch value? A definite possibility.
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Viewers deserved a better final episode
After investing time on 60 episodes of what was a pretty good story with great acting, likeable (and hateable) characters, the most disappointing thing about this drama was the way they ended the series. Whether they ran out of time, ran out of good ideas, or just plain didn't care about how it would affect the loyal viewers, that last scene was ridiculous and senseless and grossly unsatisfying.That being said, the ML & FL rocked in their roles. Loved the FL - very loveable (not so much in the first few episodes though). I started watching this series and dropped it, then came back after my sister highly recommended it. Loved the chemistry between the military characters, some of the royal family, and even though there was more tragedy than I liked throughout, I think the actors all did a phenomenal job of work. Enjoyed the humor, the familial bonds, and the side romances - although I think they deserved a little more screen time and development.
A lot of time was wasted on the politics - the petty bickering in the court, and on the immature frivolity of some of the male characters in particular. The writers tried to tie up all the stories, but there were still a lot of holes and storylines left hanging. The segments were choppy and did not flow well. Maybe if I rewatch I might see something(s) I might have missed.
The crappy way they ended the story really spoiled an otherwise entertaining series. The viewer is left to imagine their own series of events and guess what might or might not have happened. Assuming everybody ended up with who we wanted them to end up, it would have been nice to actually see what transpired through flashbacks or narrative, instead on two old geezers we don't know with two kids we don't know, making vague chatter.
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I'm glad I came back.
I started watching this drama and stopped after the first 10 episodes. The story was hard to follow, and some of the reviews I read indicated an ending I wasn't sure I wanted to invest watching 59 episodes for. But after a few days of not finding something else to watch, I came back, and am I glad I did!These fantasy themes are not for me - but I liked the actors, so I gave it a shot. Loved the ML - loved him! And OMG when he spread those golden wings - he looked very godly to me!! The chemistry between he & the FL was really believable (although she was annoying in the beginning - and if she had a dollar for every time she called his name, she would have been rich!) The supporting actors were great too, and the relationships between them was very endearing.
Star of the show, the Flying Snake - Teng She! LOVED his character. That hiss in his sentences was just terrific. And the most annoying character was definitely the Silver Snake. What an ass! I wasn't even sorry for her in the end - because she deserved everything she got - in fact, I'd even say she didn't get the karma that she deserved. And I skipped past some of the disgusting behavior of the 'seniors' and sect-leaders. For a bunch of leaders and supposedly wise people, they were dumb and stupid and small-minded.
How many times could people be wrong about the ML's character? Especially the FL!!! I loved how the truth finally got thrown at her in full force. I rewatched that part a couple of times. They could have given the ending a little more time though... after 59 episodes we deserved a little more than 5 minutes of togetherness as a group.
I think I would definitely watch this again, but I would fast-forward through the fight scenes and some of the draggy parts, just to see the ending.
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Just a Sweet Story
Despite a couple of loopholes, this was a very sweet (and sometimes very touching) story. The actors did a good job, and there was definitely chemistry between the ML (very swoon-worthy) and FL (she has beautiful, expressive eyes). Liked the other couples also - but sorry that FL's maid and ML's brother were not around. I guess they have the 'next life'.The story was simple, but the characters were a little more complex and well-played by the actors. The ML was really great playing the cynical, stoic hero - but he could still portray his emotions all over his pretty face. When he cried, I cried too. He didn't back down from telling it like it was (loved the wedding night brush-off to Na Xi)
I would have given this series a higher rating if the bonus episode had been as good in production as the rest of the series, but it looked like it was thrown together as an afterthought - an afterthought that needed a lot more flow and explanation. This episode (36) made the whole series so much more rewarding for the viewers. Although episode 35 was also an appropriate ending, it had me bawling on my seat and aching my heart out for the ML. Either way, I would have liked the story.
This is a nice change from the backstabbing, intrigue, and drawn-out drama of some series. Again, this was just a very sweet story.
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Like watching a train wreck.
How disappointing to have a female lead character with zero brains! Whining and sulking and dumb as dirt, it doesn't do much for the strength of the movie. The story had potential, which a strong lead could carry - but both leads characters were pretty clueless. Like many reviews here, I kept waiting for the story to develop and for something better to come along. Unfortunately, it never did - and this can't even be categorized as light romance. Back to the drawing board to find something worth watching.Was this review helpful to you?
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Who writes these things?!
It's not the first drama I have watched because of the ML. I'll watch Luo Zheng all day long and that is why I hung in there with this one as long as I did. I tried with the FL, and I understand that the actress is playing the part she's given, as well as the supporting actors playing roles they are also given - but her character was ridiculous. So were some of the supporting characters.The premise of twins switching places was flimsy. The 'good' twin supposedly sacrificing for the good of her mother. She's supposed to be an influencer - smart, strong. But the character is so incredibly whiny and petty and just plain foolish! Petulant and gullible, she is forever running away into the arms of her 'friend'.
I'm getting so tired of these stories written on foolish women who are either childish and silly or delusional and fanatical. What is wrong with strong women (who are not written as mega bitches), but who can be independent and intelligent and mature? And the constant miscommunication and petty misunderstandings. There are great stories to be told without all those cliche drama situations. It's frustrating and disappointing.
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Ridiculous
What a waste of good actors. I kept waiting for the story to get serious. How can a strong female lead role be so shallow and silly and be taken seriously? How can a strong male lead role be taken seriously if he's portrayed like a spoiled child? 10 episodes in, with no hope of either of these characters growing up and getting really fed up with the corny comedy and the awful music score, it's hard to see how Mu & Yang could turn out to be great war strategists and military leaders. I love Chinese dramas, this one is a serious letdown. I'm giving up after this episode.Was this review helpful to you?
A Disappointing Waste of Time
Totally disappointing drama.I watched because of the director and his work with A Familiar Stranger. This being billed as any kind of 'part two' to that drama was false. This had nothing to do with the first drama, which was perfection.
The FL was unconvincing as any kind of kick-ass heroine, and I found only very tepid chemistry between her and the ML. The story was weak and boring, and I fast forwarded through a lot of it.
I have watched A Familiar Stranger over and over, and will continue to do so, but for this one, don't waste your time! Once is enough.
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Don't Waste Your Time
This series was 40 episodes too long. A poorly written, uninteresting story with boring characters and very little relationship development or chemistry. The couples were perfunctory and there was absolutely no romance or PDA at all. The relationships between the 3 female characters were nothing special, and I hope is not indicative of sisterhood in Chinese women professional or personal.One emotional story arc was the death of the FL's mother. That was pretty powerful despite the silliness of trying to pass off the boyfriend as her son-in-law. Still, their exchange was touching.
I like Liu Yu Ning - and actually watched because of his main role. I got a bonus thrill seeing Dai Gao Zheng (even with his shirt on the whole time). But their characters were really blah and boring, as were the characters played by the lead actresses. On the whole, all the characters were about as exciting and interesting as watching paint dry.
This was a very disappointing drama. VERY DISAPPOINTING. Spare yourself and save your time for something worth watching. You'd get more out of watching the real news than this drivel.
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Disappointing in every aspect of the production
The storyline was weak to begin with. Tragedy struck in the first few episodes and got worse as the story went on. The actors were all just mediocre and there was very little chemistry there between any of the couples or the players.ML & FL lead were ridiculously immature, giggly, bratty, and even when they tried to develop their characters in the end, they still came across as shallow and just plain dumb. I especially disliked the FL. She was by far the worst character with NO redeeming qualities. As a couple, they were more like playmates than romantic interests - as I said, ZERO chemistry.
The one couple who had any hope of making this series bearable was Dong Fang Liang & Lan Shui Fang - and their tragedy was the hardest of all to bear. That story arc shattered any hope of my giving this drama a good review. The only couple who get a happy ending in this one is the two clowns who were the ML & FL, and whose scenes I fast-forwarded through the entire series of episodes. They were just plain annoying and stupid and a waste of screen time.
OST was not appealing at all in any part of the episodes.
Even if you can find something in the fight scenes to enjoy, I'd say skip this one entirely because nothing makes up for the crappy storylines and the awful ending.
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Not Even Wang Hedi Could Save This Drama
And I tried to hold on and brave as many episodes as I could, waiting for the story to emerge and something to pique my interest. After 6 episodes, nothing. Time to go! The writing is AWFUL. The story is dull, uninteresting, and a total waste of time and money. The characters are unappealing and have zero charisma and chemistry. This failure is solely on the writers - if they had presented a story with characters worth watching, the actors might have been able to do a better job in portraying them and telling the story.I'd watch Dylan Wang in anything - and I am usually a Bai Lu fan. However, these characters they were given to play were as dull as dishwater. Bai Lu's character was just about getting on my last nerve. The side characters were uninteresting and had such vapid personalities that they were not even worth investing time or energy in. There was zero romance in the air - not even attraction or initial chemistry (and I've seen Wang Hedi when there is chemistry, and Bai Lu as well). This drama was a dismal disappointment and from the responses I have read, I should have expected it, but I still held on to hopes because of the leads.
Again, even the biggest, brightest actors/actresses can't do much with a crappy script - and this one was probably one of the worst scripts I've seen.
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A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College
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Can't trust the reviews
The reason I gave this series a chance was the reviews. Now I'm sorry I didn't believe the ones with the poor ratings. I don't think I will complete the entire series because there is really nothing about this show that is enticing or appealing. I like the actors in other roles they have played, but even they cannot save the awful writing or the storyline in this drama, no matter how hard they try.The characters are unimpressive, and the FL's talents are wasted on the role of an irritating child bouncing around like Suzy Sunshine, against the (in my opinion) inappropriate connection with her teacher. The sudden turn of the SML from childhood friend and supporter to evil villain, well maybe deserve kudos to the actor for his portrayal but as a story line? Not believable.
I picked this series up out of desperation for something to watch on the weekend, but now that the weekend is almost over, I will drop it before it's done because I can't find a reason to stay. Next time I think I will take the reviews with a grain of salt and NOT believe everything I read.
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Not All Females are Morons. This Character was AWFUL!
Even though this was only 15 episodes long, I had to drop it after only 3. The FL character was absolutely cringe-worthy. This was an embarrassment to female characters and especially those in a lead role, and I felt this made it even more egregious. Women can be silly and flighty as a part of the persona they are playing, but this one was just ridiculous. I couldn't tell whether that is the way the character is written, or if this actress just cannot act. In fact, I was so put off by her performance I couldn't even watch any of the other actors to see if they could redeem this story.Writers and Directors need to step up and be more responsible, respectful, and aware. This stereotype is not a good look for women. Viewers are looking for characters they can identify with, like, and be interested in. Stories of development and growth in a character are welcome - but this one is a really poor example of the portrayal of a female (especially a lead role).
I need to go back and look at who the writer & director are, review other works by them, and possibly never watch anything they produce again.
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When the story is bad and the acting is worse... drop it!
I started watching this drama but couldn't find a title. Several episodes in, I managed to seek it out on You Tube and read the reviews. There wasn't a positive on in the bunch, and I can honestly see why. At that point, I bailed.The storyline was weak and ridiculous. The acting was poor - especially the FL. Her facial expressions made her look like a clown most times, and just plain clueless the rest of the time. She had less than zero chemistry with the ML, and pretty much no chemistry with any of the supporting players either. I wasn't impressed with the ML either, but at least his character was believable, and he got along with the other characters.
That all the reviews said the same thing about how the drama ended tells you right there that there are no redeeming qualities for this one. Run far, run fast. And I am adding this FL to my list of never-to-be-watched-again.
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'Hilarious' is Not What I Would Call This Family.
I doubt whether I would have given this one a look had it not been for the reviews I read. Unfortunately, only one was accurate, and the reviewer watched 3 episodes and dropped the series. I struggled through 4 episodes then followed suit and dropped it like a hot rock. I couldn't take another minute of this show.Whatever the writer was thinking was nothing close to hilarious, and this family was neither warm nor endearing. If this is a portrayal of family life, then no thanks! The characters were dreadful, the interactions were stiff and overdone. I didn't even get to a point where any of the couples were together yet, but they had very little hope given the characters that were introduced up to episode 4.
I couldn't find one redeeming factor to keep me interested or invested in this one. I got out while the going was good. OST was awful. Absolutely NO rewatch value.
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