This review may contain spoilers
Empress Dowager : A Tale of Power Lost in Rushed Politics and Unfulfilled Promises
This is the story of Sun Ruo Wei, whose parents are executed on the orders of the Yongle Emperor in 1402. However, she narrowly escapes death after being secretly adopted by Sun Zhong. Later, Sun Ruo Wei becomes the concubine of the Crown Prince Zhu Zhan Ji.
Tragically, Zhu Zhan Ji dies after a decade on the throne, and Sun Ruo Wei is honored as Empress Dowager when her 7-year-old son, Zhu Qi Zhen, ascends the throne.
This series is lengthy, so my review will be a bit long, though I'll try to keep it concise. I usually don’t review shows I’ve stopped watching, but I felt compelled to give my thoughts on this one.
First Part (Episodes 1-20)
The story begins by introducing key characters and exploring the historical circumstances that led the Yongle Emperor to the throne. The change in power brings a wave of killings and massacres of those loyal to the previous regime, including Sun Ruo Wei’s parents. Sun Ruo Wei is separated from her younger sister, who is saved by the Emperor’s grandson and the Crown Prince, later being handed over to a high-ranking official’s care in the palace.
Sun Ruo Wei is adopted by a friend of her parents, who saved her during the massacre. She grows up amidst rebels and orphans, plotting the death of the Yongle Emperor and the return of his nephew to the throne.
Zhu Zhan Ji, the Crown Prince’s son, is the favored imperial grandson. His relationship with his grandfather, the Emperor, is the highlight of the first two parts of the series. Despite the Emperor’s suspicions of his sons, Zhu Zhan Ji is chosen as heir. Though the Crown Prince excels at governance, he lacks the imperial stature the Emperor desires in a successor.
In the first part, we see the complicated relationships within the royal family. The Emperor, despite his paranoia, doesn’t want his sons to harm one another, leading to some dramatic yet sometimes comedic moments. For instance, when the Prince of Han argues with the Emperor, he celebrates his own funeral and lies in a coffin, almost wishing/daring for an imperial decree to announce his death. The Emperor, angered, locks him in the coffin as punishment until an apology is given.
The relationships between the princes are filled with tension, and the interactions are often humorous as they navigate the Emperor’s wrath. The most significant relationship is that between the Emperor and Zhu Zhan Ji. The Emperor shows a rare tenderness toward Zhu Zhan Ji, who is deeply devoted to his grandfather. They share many moments of affection, with Zhu Zhan Ji even earning the nickname “little monkey” from the Emperor. Despite being mischievous, Zhu Zhan Ji acts as a confidant and helper to the Emperor, even assisting with personal tasks. The Emperor, in turn, entrusts him with a precious gold totem that signifies the Emperor’s authority.
Zhu Zhan Ji and his parents have a more strained relationship with his uncles, who plot to claim the throne. They view Zhu Zhan Ji as their main threat, and the animosity between them and Zhu Zhan Ji intensifies. The first part focuses on Zhu Zhan Ji and Sun Ruo Wei’s relationship, which begins somewhat one-sided, with Zhu Zhan Ji falling in love with Sun Ruo Wei while she maintains feelings for Xu Bin.
Second Part (Episodes 20-30)
The tone shifts in the second part, becoming more serious and dramatic. Sun Ruo Wei is reunited with her sister, Hu Shan Xiang, and both marry Zhu Zhan Ji—Sun Ruo Wei as a concubine and Hu Shan Xiang as a consort. This part delves into the border wars between the Mongols, Uighurs, and the Ming Empire, as well as Zhu Zhan Ji’s wedding celebrations.
The mood darkens when both the Emperor and Crown Prince fall seriously ill, and Zhu Zhan Ji’s emotional scenes with the Emperor are heart-wrenching. His family is caught in a precarious position as his uncles wait for the death of the Emperor or Crown Prince to seize power. Amid this political turmoil, the country faces the threat of civil war.
Some viewers have criticized Sun Ruo Wei’s performance, noting that her character becomes more passive. While the change may seem abrupt, it’s understandable. Sun Ruo Wei is no longer solely driven by revenge but instead prioritizes the well-being of the nation to prevent further suffering. Her actions become more selfless as she helps manage the country while Zhu Zhan Ji is away at war.
During this period, it becomes clear that Zhu Zhan Ji and Sun Ruo Wei will not be a romantic couple, but rather partners who respect each other and must work together for the good of the country.
Third Part (Episodes 30-40)
By the third part, my interest waned. While I typically enjoy series that focus on political intrigue, power struggles, and minimal romance, this show fell short of its potential. The strategic plots are rushed, and we barely see them unfold. The female characters, especially Sun Ruo Wei, become sidelined after the Emperor’s death. Sun Ruo Wei is rarely seen after the former Crown Prince’s death, and Zhu Zhan Ji’s character, which had so much promise earlier, becomes one-dimensional. His scenes are reduced to fits of anger, lacking the cleverness and depth from earlier episodes.
Hu Shan Xiang, who becomes Empress, is suddenly pregnant with no build-up, and there are no meaningful moments between her and Zhu Zhan Ji. The lack of emotional depth and character development in this part is disappointing.
This part also focuses on the Emperor’s death, the Crown Prince’s ascension, the scheming of his brothers, and the eventual defeats of Zhu Zhan Ji’s uncles. These events feel drawn out and lack the intrigue and excitement I had hoped for. It was a frustrating and empty section, which left me feeling disconnected from the show.
Ultimately, I dropped the series. While I still recommend it for those who enjoy historical dramas, I don't otherwise for romance lovers and those who care for an intriguing script. This one failed to live up to its potential. The actors were excellent, but the writing and character development left much to be desired.
Tragically, Zhu Zhan Ji dies after a decade on the throne, and Sun Ruo Wei is honored as Empress Dowager when her 7-year-old son, Zhu Qi Zhen, ascends the throne.
This series is lengthy, so my review will be a bit long, though I'll try to keep it concise. I usually don’t review shows I’ve stopped watching, but I felt compelled to give my thoughts on this one.
First Part (Episodes 1-20)
The story begins by introducing key characters and exploring the historical circumstances that led the Yongle Emperor to the throne. The change in power brings a wave of killings and massacres of those loyal to the previous regime, including Sun Ruo Wei’s parents. Sun Ruo Wei is separated from her younger sister, who is saved by the Emperor’s grandson and the Crown Prince, later being handed over to a high-ranking official’s care in the palace.
Sun Ruo Wei is adopted by a friend of her parents, who saved her during the massacre. She grows up amidst rebels and orphans, plotting the death of the Yongle Emperor and the return of his nephew to the throne.
Zhu Zhan Ji, the Crown Prince’s son, is the favored imperial grandson. His relationship with his grandfather, the Emperor, is the highlight of the first two parts of the series. Despite the Emperor’s suspicions of his sons, Zhu Zhan Ji is chosen as heir. Though the Crown Prince excels at governance, he lacks the imperial stature the Emperor desires in a successor.
In the first part, we see the complicated relationships within the royal family. The Emperor, despite his paranoia, doesn’t want his sons to harm one another, leading to some dramatic yet sometimes comedic moments. For instance, when the Prince of Han argues with the Emperor, he celebrates his own funeral and lies in a coffin, almost wishing/daring for an imperial decree to announce his death. The Emperor, angered, locks him in the coffin as punishment until an apology is given.
The relationships between the princes are filled with tension, and the interactions are often humorous as they navigate the Emperor’s wrath. The most significant relationship is that between the Emperor and Zhu Zhan Ji. The Emperor shows a rare tenderness toward Zhu Zhan Ji, who is deeply devoted to his grandfather. They share many moments of affection, with Zhu Zhan Ji even earning the nickname “little monkey” from the Emperor. Despite being mischievous, Zhu Zhan Ji acts as a confidant and helper to the Emperor, even assisting with personal tasks. The Emperor, in turn, entrusts him with a precious gold totem that signifies the Emperor’s authority.
Zhu Zhan Ji and his parents have a more strained relationship with his uncles, who plot to claim the throne. They view Zhu Zhan Ji as their main threat, and the animosity between them and Zhu Zhan Ji intensifies. The first part focuses on Zhu Zhan Ji and Sun Ruo Wei’s relationship, which begins somewhat one-sided, with Zhu Zhan Ji falling in love with Sun Ruo Wei while she maintains feelings for Xu Bin.
Second Part (Episodes 20-30)
The tone shifts in the second part, becoming more serious and dramatic. Sun Ruo Wei is reunited with her sister, Hu Shan Xiang, and both marry Zhu Zhan Ji—Sun Ruo Wei as a concubine and Hu Shan Xiang as a consort. This part delves into the border wars between the Mongols, Uighurs, and the Ming Empire, as well as Zhu Zhan Ji’s wedding celebrations.
The mood darkens when both the Emperor and Crown Prince fall seriously ill, and Zhu Zhan Ji’s emotional scenes with the Emperor are heart-wrenching. His family is caught in a precarious position as his uncles wait for the death of the Emperor or Crown Prince to seize power. Amid this political turmoil, the country faces the threat of civil war.
Some viewers have criticized Sun Ruo Wei’s performance, noting that her character becomes more passive. While the change may seem abrupt, it’s understandable. Sun Ruo Wei is no longer solely driven by revenge but instead prioritizes the well-being of the nation to prevent further suffering. Her actions become more selfless as she helps manage the country while Zhu Zhan Ji is away at war.
During this period, it becomes clear that Zhu Zhan Ji and Sun Ruo Wei will not be a romantic couple, but rather partners who respect each other and must work together for the good of the country.
Third Part (Episodes 30-40)
By the third part, my interest waned. While I typically enjoy series that focus on political intrigue, power struggles, and minimal romance, this show fell short of its potential. The strategic plots are rushed, and we barely see them unfold. The female characters, especially Sun Ruo Wei, become sidelined after the Emperor’s death. Sun Ruo Wei is rarely seen after the former Crown Prince’s death, and Zhu Zhan Ji’s character, which had so much promise earlier, becomes one-dimensional. His scenes are reduced to fits of anger, lacking the cleverness and depth from earlier episodes.
Hu Shan Xiang, who becomes Empress, is suddenly pregnant with no build-up, and there are no meaningful moments between her and Zhu Zhan Ji. The lack of emotional depth and character development in this part is disappointing.
This part also focuses on the Emperor’s death, the Crown Prince’s ascension, the scheming of his brothers, and the eventual defeats of Zhu Zhan Ji’s uncles. These events feel drawn out and lack the intrigue and excitement I had hoped for. It was a frustrating and empty section, which left me feeling disconnected from the show.
Ultimately, I dropped the series. While I still recommend it for those who enjoy historical dramas, I don't otherwise for romance lovers and those who care for an intriguing script. This one failed to live up to its potential. The actors were excellent, but the writing and character development left much to be desired.
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