Between The Lines

Agreed! These were highlights too, I single out ep 30 in part because of the shocking nature of how it played out and because everything in that episode was so on point, Xu Kai acting (ep 30 and 31) - watch his eyes there so expressive, the cinematography, the music - sorry I could keep going but I think you get my point! I loved this episode. Which is kind of weird because its so sad...............

Chemistry remained great until the end, happy or fighting Li Ni & Ying always sparkled when on screen together.
Episode 30 will remain long in the memory - as a stand alone episode this was epic.
As many have said the ending was not rushed, a proper conclusion was given.

The only things that bothered me a little -

The sharp intelligence that was highlighted in the early episodes wasn't retained in the final part of the drama. This serviced the story so it was not the end of the world.

Why did characters keep having breakdowns whenever things went wrong? Again not a massive issue, but overused.

This drama will be added to my list of better drama's of the year - Apologies for repeating myself but ep 30 is still just that awesome! Watch it and tell me I'm wrong!

Today, Li Ni was on the bed, after being seriously injured, and yes, we know it was serious because we had the whole cough/blood splatter moment, but instead of worrying about how he was, I found myself laughing because my first thought was he looks far to perfect to be in any danger.

1 - Not a strand of hair out of place
2 - His outfit was perfect
3 - His face, well, again perfect, he might be almost too good looking. Is that a thing?

I can't remember ever being distracted like that whilst watching a scene in a drama!

If she had to pick one and only one, I've always felt that her main motivation was always a stable and secure country.
Personally, I don't have an issue with her wanting everything, but I've seen various opinions on what she wants or what her main motivation might be.

How he got there and why is indeed the crux. I just found it lacking after so much back and forth between Li Ni and Ying when discussing the future. In the end, whilst it wasn't handled the way I had hoped, the overall plot has advanced.

Exactly, it was like there was a scene(s) missed out where they address their issues. It was like this was deemed unnecessary because of other events. Something about how everything was wrapped up in nice little bow, felt kind of lazy. They never addressed even addressed Li Ni concerns about becoming the Crown Prince until after the fact. I think I would have preferred if Li Ni motivation was more justice for his friends than simply "Ying, you were right all along, why didn't I listen to you 15 episodes ago"

The latest episodes were finely crafted, they were a perfect roadmap of advancing the plot and positioning all our characters in their respective positions............ and yet I personally didn't find them particularly satisfying. To be clear, I didn't dislike them, but I didn't love the story transitions in the way I had hoped.

I'm fully prepared to be in the minority, but Li Ni behaviour in particular was all very neat, all very reasonable and on point. Something about how he made his decision was a little simplistic in the end at least too me. It makes all his talk about a simpler life slightly less meaningful.

These were by no means bad episodes they certainly had some high points but the conclusion of the story arc for Li Ni future as the Crown Prince was like being led from A, to B, to C. Everyone, in the end behaved exactly how the plot needed them too.

Separately though -

The scene where Li Ni and Ying are saying goodbye to Bao and the others as they were drinking and singing- just beautiful and sad all at the same time. Loved it.

Xu Kai performance was so on point when delivering those moments when he was tormented by the loss of his friends - he was really good in those moments

For me, she is not guilty for others action's, even those that her father takes on her behalf, but does that make her completely innocent? I'm not so sure. At times she has caused misunderstandings and her ploy of marrying a prince was clearly aimed to drag Li Ni into the Crown Prince role, despite him clearly wanting no part in it. I respect many (not all) of her actions because, Li Ni hopes that his father will appoint the former emperor's grandson as the Crown Prince are completely naïve. Again though does this give her a free pass to do whatever she feels is best? Not for me.

In terms of Li Ni, I think he recognises that Ying has manipulated him in the past, and whether it be her or her father, he likely thinks this is a betrayal, especially after spending the day together. What happens next will be interesting if as it appears that Li Ni moves towards the Crown Prince role. What is his motivation? Love? The Country/World? Honour? or Revenge? It maybe one it maybe all.

I think what all that has unfolded show's is that actions do have consequences, some intended, some not. This can mean that people don't always react the way Ying or anyone else predicts

I have said previously that I don't always like Ying actions but most are understandable, and perhaps her end game is to have it all. Love/Power/Peace? It seems a reconciliation of some sort is coming I guess we will find out how this looks shortly

When I watch a drama there's usually 2 ways I know it's good.

Firstly, is I get that warm, happy, contented feeling as each episode roles by. I just feel slightly happier after having watched the latest episode.

The other, is when a drama contains at least 2/3 episodes that are so good that I have to re-watch them straight away.

This drama didn't really deliver either, for me it's just been all very ok. Nothing extraordinary, it was very "I've seen this story 654 million times before" I didn't hate it but didn't love it, kind hoped for a little better.

I'm talking about what has happened and how that should shape the future, that should be pretty obvious.
All actions have consequences and when the reconciliation arrives it doesn't happen in a vacuum. Unless you think Li Ni will just decide all is forgiven without any explanation? Do all their misunderstandings just disappear on their own? How they reconcile happens is just as important as the fact they do reconcile otherwise there relationship never really changes.
Reconciliation will happen but unless the scriptwriters are stupid, what has happened previously will impact what it looks like. You maybe only interested in the fact that they reconcile but to me at least the reconciliation is the highlight, but the context is important too. Your point seam's focused on the destination, not the journey, which is totally fine, but in a 40 ep drama the details matter.

I've already touched on episode 30 and well it's such a great watch how can that not be the focus. TBH I've already re-watched it, it was that impactful.

I did want to mention two points from ep 29 though and how t think they add to the importance of what follows.

Li Ni heart is broken! He feels betrayed and manipulated by the woman he loves. Given the combination of these two episodes Li Ni is riding an emotional rollercoaster. A broken heart, followed by the deaths of his true brothers in arm's. That's a lot to process, and this doesn't factor in how he's still reeling from his nanny's death.

Ying, it was time to pay the piper. Your past manipulations have come back to bite you. Ironically, this time you were innocent. Unfortunately for her, this is a little bit like the boy who cried wolf. She maybe innocent this time, but her past action's have helped cause Li Ni to loose faith in her.

Ep 29 didn't have the heavyweight impact of ep 30, but I think the upcoming episodes will be shaped by the events of both episodes combined.

If nothing else it was a captivating to watch, I'm sure you will feel the same when you catch up.

I know right, this was all on top of the emotional grinder that he is going through with Ying as well. Its easy to forgot because of ep 30, but he basically had his heart broken in ep 29 ! The guy deserves a break.

I think anyone who has watched ep 30 has been stunned by the events that took place.

Other than the actual events in the episode, which were clearly shocking enough, I think what has added to my surprise is that I didn't expect this kind of scene from this drama.

This drama , at least for me has not displayed this kind of action at any point previously. In fact I don't think its even has come close to this sort of visceral violence. It was wave after wave, after wave. This is why emotionally it was raw, it was brutal, yet tragically memorising. I simply couldn't look away.
In previous episodes, we had witnessed battles and bloodshed, but nothing to the standard of todays episode. There has been moments that the director/scriptwriters could of used to prepare us for today, the massacre of the former emperor or even the old couple at in the first couple of episodes spring to mind, yet these were covered with dialogue or visually quite softly.

If this was intentionally done to provide an even greater impact, then they have clearly succeeded. It made episode 30 gripping to watch, even if it was so very, very tragic.

This was like Li Ni having to watch his family murdered. Having already had to process the deaths of the only 2 people who provided him with any affection as a child, he then has to witness the deaths of his adopted family.

These were his brothers, his true family, and to make it just a little worse, his biological brother had a hand in there demise.

Brutal.

I was unprepared for what I just watched

It was crafted perfectly, and that's what makes it so impactful, it was emotive. The use of lighting, weather and music was just spot on. The tone it set in those final moments made it all the more shocking

Episode 30 is worthy of re-watching again, it truly is a WOW episode.

But not right now, I have no more words left until I process that episode, it was epically tragic and I truly did not see this coming.

As you said Li Ni could be a fantastic emperor but if he doesn't want it and is not committed to this role, its hard to imagine it working out well. With Ying, for me at least, it was never about liking or disliking her, as she certainly has her faults, but I respect the qualities she has shown. Whilst some of her actions could be questionable, she recognises and acknowledges that Li Ni chosen path isn't a practical option. That's not to say her thinking is completely correct either. The frustration that I have now is that Ying and Li Ni are not working together to resolve this issue.

She definitely is prepared to get involved in the politics or at the very least understands how they fit into the wider scope of the world. I agree that they compliment each other, as at times they both have had their blind spots. When they are on same page, they might be unstoppable.

I did wonder how this was written in the script. Was it supposed to be a straightforward manipulation just to win, or was it a playful act to "win". Regardless it wasn't my favourite either it seemed off.

Li Ni might be the only one to save the country, but Ying is the one to be truly fearful of. In fact she might be the scariest character in this drama and that includes the increasing unstable Liu Cheng Feng and a mass murderer like Sun Jing.

Ying possesses many of the characteristics that Li Ni has, she is smart, brave, battle tested, a keen tactician and importantly she is loyal. What sets her apart are her "dark arts", she has a sense of cunning that Li Ni lacks. She is aware that manipulation is weapon that can be used. When presented with a mission, she can be ruthless and will get her hands dirty. I think the attempted rescue of the Emperors Grandson was evidence of this. Yes, it might have been a calculated risk, but there was certainly a ruthlessness to her actions.

In the last few episodes, I've been clear that I haven't exactly liked all her actions, in particular towards Li Ni, but do I understand them? Certainly, and I have to admire her determination to accomplish her goals.

This is not to say she would do anything, but her bottom line is clearly different to Li Ni.

But as a total collection of qualities, this is what makes her scary. This is why her enemies should fear her.

If circumstances were different, Ying might the best person to rule, for all those good qualities, but never forgetting those "dark arts" either.
A ruler to be loved? Yes,
A ruler to be respected? Certainly
A ruler to be feared? Definitely