Suzie Queue

I Barely Made it Through This One

Right off the bat, I started fast-forwarding through a lot of the FL's scenes. Mousy, picked-on, yes-woman character I get - but this one was over the top. And she just kept on whining and playing the victim. Even her steamy chemistry with that dreamy ML couldn't save her character. And I know better than to blame the actors, who are playing the parts they are given, so the screen writers and the director are guilty.

Wang Xiyi tried to convince Chen Jia Xin that he loved her and that he would do right by her and their baby - but over and over with the guilt trip and the apologizing! And then when her own actions led to her running out in front of a car and losing the baby, she (and just about everyone in her circle) blames Xiyi. The story up to that point had me fast forwarding a lot! So annoying!

However, I managed to finish the series and could only give it a 6 (because I liked the leads). But that being said, I do have to express:

Most Noble character - Dylan (sorry he couldn't get a better ending). Maybe good guys get rewarded somewhere.

Least Favorite character - Jia Xin's mother. Not quite Mommie Dearest, but what a virago!

Most Annoying character - Siqi - hands down!

Very touching in parts, especially dealing with Ximi. But everything else was just too messy and the story arcs could have been developed a little more.

Re-watch? I doubt it. But maybe for the romance factor - there were some good kissing scenes in there.

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Mindless entertainment if you want to kill some time

This was a movie just to kill time. The story was weak, but they didn't waste a lot of time on pointless or repetitious scenes. The actors did a fair job with their characters and with the exception of the opening scene, told the story pretty clearly without too many holes or hanging issues.

CGI wasn't bad, but the OST was non-existent. No romance, and no pointless deaths. One major irritating character - you can figure that one out for yourself.

If you're looking for something to watch just for some mindless entertainment or to kill time, this might fit the bill.

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Cute, lighthearted fun

This is just what the title implies. This story is uncomplicated with a cute romance. I found myself liking the characters, and loved the ML & FL. (I love these brooding male characters whose hearts soften after they fall in love). A few holes in the story, but not enough to spoil the drama. The villains were despicable - meaning that the actors did a good job in portraying them, and everybody got their comeuppance in the end. I love a happy ending!

I would probably watch this again because despite having 30 episodes, it is the short-episode format which I really don't like, but that is becoming more popular (unfortunately). I wait till they are all strung together in one complete format, because I hate having to endure the opening/closing credits every time.

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A disappointing series of events, direction, and screenwriting

I was immediately intrigued with this story, although it isn't really the genre I like (costume drama); however, I got interested in the story right away, until I got confused about the story timeline. Anyway, I persevered, and got the gist of the plot. I tried hard to find a review or a synopsis, till almost half way through the episodes I realized that the title on the opening scene was Mysterious House. The title I selected from the line-up was Counterattack of Fallen Miss.

The cinematography was poor, the sets were unimpressive, the costuming was suitable for the period, I suppose, but I wasn't really impressed with any of it. The storyline kept focusing on the really vicious and conniving villains, none of whom got any comeuppance (big issue for me watching these dramas, I like me my Karma!) The faithless servant, the fake niece - both got away scot free after playing heinous roles in the downfall of the people around them. The main villain didn't get enough Karma for me, I'm afraid - and the matriarch! Geez Louise! She was as clueless as ever.

ML was a long-suffering, spineless character who paid the ultimate price in the end - and the FL was annoyingly self-sacrificing and pathetic in her attempts to make the people she loved happy (even if it meant forcing her man to 'like' her sister). A surprise to see a young Wu Lei as the kid, but man! Could he bawl and whine and throw tantrums! Thankfully he grew into a pretty good actor (and handsome as all get-out too!). The maids were your typical garden variety airheads - and the sister was just delusional. I'd say about the only character worthy of note was Jia Ming - and it kinda leans towards him being the one who gets the happy ending (eventually).

Didn't see that ending coming. It was logical, and since I wasn't really invested in the couple anyway, it didn't hurt much. It hurt me much more that the deceitful couple Wuchang & Xiaoping got their happy ending with no comeuppance. Boo!!!

This drama had potential. Even the actors could have been much better in their roles with some effective direction and maybe better screenwriting, and the production might even have been much better. Unfortunately, the whole thing fizzled fast - a confusing mess with loopholes everywhere, and a lot of silliness to fill in the time. Good luck watching it, I have to say that I kept coming back hoping for something to pull it all together and make the sacrifice of my time worth it, but it never happened.

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Lai Yi and Bai Lu - They were the reason I watched this

I like Lai Yi, and I like Bai Lu. Their chemistry in this was ok - not sizzling, and there wasn't enough PDA for me. The second couple were too playful for my, but they also had ok chemistry and their story should have been developed more. Overall, the storyline was pretty solid and well-played. The actors did a good job. You liked the characters who were good, you despised the villains. However, the measure of Karma was not suitable to the evil deeds they got away with. Love me some good payback, and this one was underwhelming.

Allen Feng's character was pitiful - I wish he could have gotten a better ending since he really wasn't the 'bad guy' after all, and his sidekick. What a heartbreak.

I was shouting at the screen in many parts of this drama - cussing the stupidity of the characters. Reached for the fast-forwards button a couple of times, especially when the scene dragged out or something repetitious was going on.

OST was disappointing.

Rewatch? Hmmmm - maybe if I couldn't find anything else and needed some weekend watching.

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The ML saves the day!

I wanted to love this drama so much, but in the end, the actors and their performances saved the day. The screenwriters did a poor job of telling the story, had so many holes and half-told arcs that left me hanging or to imagine what happened. I'm also a great fan of Karma, and there wasn't much of that (or enough) for me. But then, the actors saved the story!

The chemistry between the couples was great - some more than others, but it worked. The friendships, the betrayals, the villains - you loved them, and you hated them. You laughed with them and cried with them. The actors did a phenomenal job. Dylan Wang was the perfect Moon Supreme. The development of his character was played superbly- his arrogance at first, his cold almost inhumane demeanor - and the confusion with which he faces his emotions again, and eventual surrender to true love. It made the show for me.

Unfortunately, the story dragged in several places where the filming/action were almost in slow motion or so repetitive that I fast-forwarded through a lot of scenes (screenwriters again). If the stories are told well the viewers will understand what is happening and why. We were left to figure it out or imagine in too many arcs. Fortunately, the relationships/couples kept me coming back for more. After all that wasting of time the writers could have given us a better ending for the lead couple. An explanation of how he comes 'back' - what the FL did in the meantime - after all, 500 years is a l-o-n-g time. It was a real let-down.

And then, there were those two 'bonus' episodes? Replays of scenes from the series told as though it was an 'update'. What a waste of time! That dropped my review points immediately - and only the actors deserved this rating (and more).

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A lot of holes in the story, but I liked it anyway

The acting was great in this series. The ML & FL carried the whole thing! She was strong but not bossy and overbearing. He was just plain gorgeous, and his facial expressions were tender, amusing, wicked... that was fun to watch, but also heart-wrenching when he showed his anguish. I felt it too! The interaction between the characters was great - I love the ensemble acting, especially when there is chemistry there too.

Big letdown was the number of holes in the storylines. Too many to name them all, but the writers could have tied up and cleaned up much better than they did. Lazy? Or they just didn't care after a while. Whatever it was, they didn't do a good series any justice. We were left hanging for more than a couple of characters - and so many scenes were unnecessarily drawn out to waste time. And not enough Karma for the 'bad guys'.

The biggest letdown was that ending! What the hell was that about!? Dismal writing - they took a pretty good storyline and dumped it in the trash. Maybe the writers should have put a disclaimer so the viewers would know what they were thinking, instead of leaving us all out here making endings up. Shame on you!

Don't think I would watch it again - too many episodes for too little reward, and too many holes in the story!!! BUT - I am a fan of Yang Mi & Ethan Juan from now on!

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I tried very hard to like this drama.

I read the reviews. I liked the actors. Love Xu Kai, and I can take Bai Lu (just watched her in Song of Youth). Their chemistry was really good, and their interactions with the other actors was pretty good too. Good cast, solid performances overall. But some of the characters were REALLY annoying and I fast-forwarded through their scenes a lot, as well as in the middle when the same plotline was repeated over and over again. Irritating every time.

Fav. characters: Li Chen Lan, Sima Rong, Qin Qian Xian, Gu Han Guang, Liu Cang Ling, Shen Qian Jin, Jiang Wu (the character I loved to hate).
Most irritating characters: Lu Shi Qi (she wins the prize), Yue Zhu (the wooden girl), Qin Zhi Yan, Lin Zi Yu (the character I hated the most).

I stuck with the entire drama because I really wanted to see how it ended - and like everybody else who has reviewed this series, the ending was disappointing in its execution. When your viewers stick with you, the least you can do is offer them an ending that is not rushed or chopped up. Also, I get that everybody can't have a happy ending, but this one was really lousy with making all the couples unhappy and alone (or dead).

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An Emotional Roller Coaster, But a Nice Ride!

At first, I didn't think I would enjoy this drama, but I did (for the most part). The characters were likeable, hateable, cute, funny. The acting was pretty good (I am a big fan of Zhang Zhehan so would have stayed throughout just to watch him) and I was pleasantly surprised to see some old and new faces of actors I have seen in other dramas, and who I liked a lot.

The storyline was ok - I had a few lingering questions, and I think there could have been a little more to the story between the Dowager Empress and her love interest. However, the other couples were good together and I liked their chemistry. Since there were 42 episodes, perhaps a little time could have been spent on each couple rather than scattering bits and pieces all over the place, but again, I was fine with (most of) the resolutions.

I have to mention my favorite characters (and how they were played by the actors). Despite my love for the ML, the most entertaining character was General Deng. I saw him in The Bond and loved him in that too, but he was so endearing in this drama that I couldn't help but enjoy his roguish, charming ways. The Hou brothers also, were endearing to me. The Dowager Empress - one minute she was heartless and cruel, the next my heart was breaking for her impossible situation. All that being said, however, I tried to like the FL but just couldn't. Her character was annoying and brash and there was just something about her that I couldn't warm to at all. Still, I enjoyed the series a lot. Rewatch? Maybe.

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Super, Super Cute

Surprisingly entertaining. Not complicated, no supervillains or twists and hard-to-follow storyline. There is chemistry galore between the ML & FL and those kissing scenes! Best I've seen. Most realistic and rewarding since they already have chemistry. The second couple was cute too.

No senseless killing, no rejected spoiled brats whining and flouncing - just really cute, likeable characters. Wish they had done a little more explaining at the end, but hey - I'll take a happy ending any time.

If you're looking for a short series to fill time, or just something to be entertained by, I recommend this one - you get a good fighting fix, a little story, and great romance for a short series. I will certainly re-watch this one.

Wish MangoTV would invest in some decent subtitling however - it is awful and hard to follow the more serious dramas.

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Good Fun and it made me hungry to watch!

Cute story, cute characters, GORGEOUS ML. I liked that the intrigue was uncomplicated and simple - bad guys got their comeuppance without a lot of blood and gore and unnecessary death just for drama sake. I especially liked that the FL wasn't afraid to be hard and kick ass without so much as one kung fu move. She does some mean kicking and broom waving! LOL

If you're looking for some easy weekend watching, this is it - and you will find yourself drooling over the food scenes (although they got a little repetitious at times). A few loose ends, such as Wang's poisoning, the unwelcome relatives, the scholar & the apprentice - I think I liked Dasheng better myself. But overall, it was an entertaining watch!

I hope to see this ML in more featured roles.

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Pretty Good Series

The actors did a good job in this drama - I loved the heroes, I hated the villains, everybody gets their reward or punishment, and there were no needless deaths just for dramatics. Loved the progression of the relationships - especially the SML & SFL - I think I liked them even more than the ML & FL. Sweet story, and the romance was just right (although I would have liked a bit more for the second couple). Saving his lady and her family was the highlight of the story for me. I replayed that scene a few times just to savor the moment. Enjoyed the moments of brevity between the characters - and those expressions! I really enjoyed this series and will most likely watch it again.

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I Tried Hard to Like This Drama

Loved the ML, but was underwhelmed by the FL. I kept hoping for more chemistry between them. Some of the other characters were ok too, but something was just off with the whole lot of them. I found myself fast-forwarding through parts of the episodes too. I really wanted to like this drama, but it was just so-so for me. I couldn't figure out that Emperor too - he was likeable enough, but is that what emperors did? Loved on everybody and punished the people they loved with no proof? And what happened in the end? Did he keep the concubines?
The sound editing was awful - kept cutting in and out, and sometimes sounded like it was coming from the bottom of a well, so the dialogue was distorted a lot. Thank goodness for the captioning.

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They Grow on You

The characters were well-played and believable. The chemistry between the couples was great too - and I liked the lengths the story went to for family harmony & happiness. There is a mix of annoyance, laughter, romance (plenty of that), evil... but in the end, it all comes together. Wish they would have spent a little more time tying up the story lines. But I appreciated the twist in fortune.

This is worth watching - not too complicated and hard-to-figure. I liked the actors, even the ones I hated in the parts they portrayed.

Looking for something to watch on the weekend? This is it!

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