Among other things–deliciously zany
A lot of series these days recycle the same old bland mush replete with modular events picked up from Ikea. BACK FROM THE BRINK has a few items from that warehouse, but it’s also quirky and fun.
For example, I loved the way Yonzhou City was a nest of vipers and general daffiness. In one episode, YanHui, gives all her money away to a scammer in exchange for some generic, but hilarious, medical advice (“A powerful force will cure your heart”). Her would-be suitor, Guan Peng Yuan, rides down main street on the back of a giant tortoise. In a later scene, when the flaming dragon sword comes swooping back to the ML, the audience sees it coming–not in the sky–but reflected in one of his eyes. Little creative touches like this, added a boatload of zip to this drama.
The entire cast–including most of the minor actors--was impressive. For example, there’s Bai Xiao Sheng. Who doesn’t love a bad boy? (Hands go up.) OK, not everybody. Some of you would gladly strangle him. But personally, I like a little rascality in my demons.
And those pixie orphans, are to die for. Speaking of dying, one adorable little girl does. Just when I was about to get mad at the writers, I saw her eyelid twitch, reminding me that this is Fantasyville. Will she be back? Anything’s possible in this bonzo crazypants drama.
As for the ML, Hou Ming Hao’s face is always a perfect subtext of what his character, Tianyao, is feeling. How does this dude do it? We (the audience) know that he’s sick with jealousy the minute he lays eyes on Bai Xiao Sheng’s dimples. And we know Tianyao’s madly in love with Yanhui, when even she hasn’t got a clue.
Even after he stabs her in the heart–for the second time.
OK, for many Western women that last thing would be a deal breaker. In fact, I’m one of them. How are you going to explain that one to the girls in the office?
Of course we all know he’s going to wriggle out of it somehow. This drama has 40 episodes and we’re not even halfway there. Will these two get couples counseling?
Stay tuned.
For example, I loved the way Yonzhou City was a nest of vipers and general daffiness. In one episode, YanHui, gives all her money away to a scammer in exchange for some generic, but hilarious, medical advice (“A powerful force will cure your heart”). Her would-be suitor, Guan Peng Yuan, rides down main street on the back of a giant tortoise. In a later scene, when the flaming dragon sword comes swooping back to the ML, the audience sees it coming–not in the sky–but reflected in one of his eyes. Little creative touches like this, added a boatload of zip to this drama.
The entire cast–including most of the minor actors--was impressive. For example, there’s Bai Xiao Sheng. Who doesn’t love a bad boy? (Hands go up.) OK, not everybody. Some of you would gladly strangle him. But personally, I like a little rascality in my demons.
And those pixie orphans, are to die for. Speaking of dying, one adorable little girl does. Just when I was about to get mad at the writers, I saw her eyelid twitch, reminding me that this is Fantasyville. Will she be back? Anything’s possible in this bonzo crazypants drama.
As for the ML, Hou Ming Hao’s face is always a perfect subtext of what his character, Tianyao, is feeling. How does this dude do it? We (the audience) know that he’s sick with jealousy the minute he lays eyes on Bai Xiao Sheng’s dimples. And we know Tianyao’s madly in love with Yanhui, when even she hasn’t got a clue.
Even after he stabs her in the heart–for the second time.
OK, for many Western women that last thing would be a deal breaker. In fact, I’m one of them. How are you going to explain that one to the girls in the office?
Of course we all know he’s going to wriggle out of it somehow. This drama has 40 episodes and we’re not even halfway there. Will these two get couples counseling?
Stay tuned.
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