Acrobit12

I am definitely looking things up and am going to do some reading - I love history and I have realized just how lacking my knowledge is.

I think it definitely got lost in translation. They did give the background, but there wasn't enough there to connect the dots to current events and figure out why the emperor went mad, at least not for me. But then I basically have no knowledge of the relevant historical events. The way you lay it out, it is very clear, so thank you.

I don't disagree that it's a glaring flaw, but at this point it kind of is what it is. Those who want to find the answers will find them. Goodness knows this isn't the first cdrama chopped to pieces in editing nor will it be the last I am sure. That's what you get with censorship.

Well, this drama is not aimed at foreign viewers. It's primarily for domestic consumption where some surface-level knowledge of history is expected (although I have no idea how well they teach history in Chinese schools). Ultimately, this is entertainment, not educational programming. So far. I am pleasantly surprised by lack of propaganda.

There is a discussion on Reddit that is quite helpful and filled the gaps for me as my knowledge of the history of that period is very limited. It is shown in the drama that he wanted to reconquer lost provinces from the Khitan. Apparently, he initially did quite well and won two battles, but then one of his key generals betrayed him and defected to the Khitan and he decisively lost the final battle (I am not sure if this is the same general that Lord Feng does not want to become the emperor). This kind of explains why the emperor went mad and just gave up, while the drama just makes him look like a fool (the theory on Reddit seems to be that some of this storyline was censored out).

The veteran actors are amazing.

Yes, and then all the ministers are like "he is a child"! This scene needed a lot of suspension of disbelief from the audience. It would have hit very differently if they kept the younger actor around for a bit longer.

I think the young actor playing Hongchu being as good as he was did Bai Yu no favors. The audience got attached to the kid (at least I did) and Bai Yu seems too low-key compared to him. So far all three MLs are too old for their characters, although they will grow into them.

Interesting, as a Russian speaker I did not know this - you learn something new every day!

ZKY's father the Marshal is a mean old bastard (although his whole reaction to the assassination plot shows he knows what he is about). He does not like his sone being praised even though his son is extremely capable. And that scene in ep. 9 where ZKY just automatically expected his father to hit him was heartbreaking. The whole Confucian filial piety thing is a bit... extreme.

I have to say I am surprised that some things in ep 1 and eps 9-10 got through censorship, although it WAS a brutal time. You can get away with some things in the name of authenticity, I suppose.

In the interest of full disclosure, I actually have no idea how censorship works in China. My own experience with censorship is from a different time and place.

I like all the historical background, it's been a really really long time since I studied the history of this area/period. I really enjoyed the teenage Hongchu, I wish they kept him around for a while longer, so far all of the MLs are too old for the characters they are portraying, although I understand that (a) this is a c-drama and a non-idol one at that and (b) this drama will take place over a really long period so to some extent it's inevitable. I am really enjoying all the veteran actors in support roles. They are fantastic.

The last six episodes felt like an entirety different drama tacked onto the original drama. It was not the time to introduce a whole slew of new characters that weren't fleshed out enough at the expense of the existing characters.

It felt like watching an entirely different drama. Not bad. Just different.

I am here mostly to comment on the costumes - they were chef's kiss, especially the ML's outfits in the last six episodes. Whatever awards they have for this in c-ent, I hope the costume designer gets them.

As far as the ending - I am just glad it wasn't a mess like The Unclouded Soul. I am satisfied enough. The actors did a great job with what they were given.

She is not a simple villain, after today 's episode it's really understandable why she hates grandma.

Yep, he is doing a good job

Never mind, I see it below:).

33 looks like kisses and tears. Is there express?

It's interesting that he seems to be Team Lu Jianglai. Is it out of gratitude for what LJL did for the Wei family at this point? Or is he just trying to kiss up to RSB this way?