Between The Lines

Exactly, Eun Mi just doesn't get it, its like there speaking to different languages or at the very least having 2 completely different conversations.

Err,,, sooo "Goldfish poop" as an emotional outburst that was pretty unique and for a moment i thought this was the moment that Kim Eun Mi would get it, how some of her actions had impacted her daughter. Maybe this would be the moment she would act like the parent? Sadly this doesn't appear to be the case...

I have one question after ep 2.

How many sunglasses does Kim Do Ha have in his jacket pocket?

Three/Four? Does he have more tucked away? My mind boggles as to where his hid them all..

Not just you, I just think its trying to hard and has lost some of things I liked from S1.

This seemed like LMX heart and emotions overriding his brain and his rationale behaviour. The consequences probably don't factor into his thinking.

Try doing both at the same time, to watch this scene was horrible and ridiculous all at the same time, The irony wasn't lost on me though that this was the first proper kiss! Stupid MB....

Maybe because my expectations were so high, it hasn't been able to live up to it (yet) The fight scenes in S2 feel like there trying out do S1. It hasn't really worked for me so far.

So, in all honesty I really didn't like this episode. A lot of this is to do with MB. I didn't like how he has gone from a meticulous planner to somewhat delusional. Did he honestly expect Anning to say "Northern Qin sounds lovely, let me just grab my coat"
The kiss was just ridiculous. Then his escape, I think everyone knew it was coming but again ridiculous.
The CGI was on full show again, it is what it is at this stage.

I did like the interaction between HY and the Emperor, he maybe a terrible emperor but he really does love his kids.
I liked the interaction between HY and LMX i really felt there was genuine affection here.

Finally LMX, you have remained consistent my friend, I've maintained that DZY has always been his number one priority throughout. This episodes highlights this no matter the cost to the country or himself she will always come first.

This was a really flawed episode on a number of levels, but our main characters seem all now set on their path and to their eventual fate.

I can't help but feel there's at lot more emphasis on the action sequences rather the storyline or characters. In S1 the action sequences were in addition to the story, S2 it feels the other way around (so far). S2 just doesn't feel like it has found the right balance yet.

It is hard to know exactly what is going to happen just based from the trailer but whilst there are some similarities, I don't think HY and LMX are the same.
I think LMX first and by far his strongest motivation is DZY. We have seen numerous examples of this. No matter the cost he will always prioritize her.
HY is different in the sense that whilst protecting DZY is one of his strongest motivations, it is not his only priority. He also believes that protecting the innocent is equally as important. Sometimes these motivations overlap - the killing of the left minister is an example of this. It may not be the smartest decision but I don't think it was driven only to help WS and DZY. The minister was a traitor - his death would benefit the country. At this point, whilst we know he is traitor, the evidence has yet to be collected so arresting him would not be possible either. I do think your point is valid, that this is a reckless move by HY but its not based on solely on helping WS and DZY.
HY has shown during the efforts to clear the Di family he wouldn't simple put DZY interests above everything else. He obviously did help in the end but only after evidence started to become available.
Given a word from DZY, LMX would destroy the county regardless of the cost, he implied this during an earlier episode. If the trailer is correct and he sacrifices Anning for personal reasons this would be further proof of this.
HY would not sacrifice the innocent or the country simply for personal reasons. His personal reasons are factored into his actions but they are not his sole priority. Both have similarities but I don't think they are the same either.

Thanks for sharing your well reasoned comments, we all get to share our thoughts on these drama's but it can fall into "hot takes" or sweeping statements at times. You gave us a why... which is to say you explained why you felt the way you do about this drama. Not everyone will agree, but I think you made valid points

You won't be disappointed = angst is definitely a running theme and not always for the same reason. I would say roughly the half point @ramber26 comments below is similar to my feelings. The first few episodes were fun without being earthshattering. We got some fairly slow paced episodes and then everything improved from about that mid way point.

I felt the same way initially, but yes it does, it takes a little while to develop, but you will see growth in the relationships - be prepared there's a lot of angst between the leads. There chemistry is a strength throughout. Additionally the the overall plot - justice, tragedy, consequences etc become central to the story. In the end I'm glad i stuck it out. Obviously this is just my opinion

I'm glad it isn't just me! Its rare that I'll watch a drama and dislike both the main leads and yet continue to watch. I think there just a little "too much" for me, as in, if I had deal with them I wouldn't get a minutes peace!
Sometimes watching chaos unfold is entertaining and maybe that's why I'm still watching.

I've mentioned many of the points you raised, so i get where your coming from. I think I even said that this felt a like a story I've seen before. For the me, the main issue has been the pacing of the drama and that's not related to it being a slow burn story. It has at times felt disjointed. Sometimes naturally flowing, others times its painfully slow and then suddenly rushed in places. In more recent episodes there has been leaps required which as you say are exposition dumps to further the plot.
My preference would be to see slightly more fleshed out characters but this it seems in some instances to reflect the novel.
In its defence, the drama has definitely improved in the second half, other than the leaps required to advance the plot.
Additionally, I've found that HY in particular has "grown" on me as the drama has developed. He might not have been the most dynamic of characters initially but that maybe simply in contrast to Anle. I've found myself rooting for him as his story developed.

I had pretty high expectations based on a strong cast and an intriguing story, and whilst it hasn't lived up to those expectations, after i shaky period it has improved at least for me. Gong Jun & Dilraba deserve credit for those earlier episodes. Their chemistry kept me watching.
This is not a perfect drama, but with a decent finish it will fall into a good but not great category again for me that is. ( Note to scriptwriters don't screw this up!)

I did enjoy the HY & LMX interactions, its always been a very layered relationship particularly from LMX side. I think he's always acknowledged HY intelligence but it felt like he had found a greater appreciate of HY other qualities, he was in even little awestruck by what HY accomplished as a child. There relationship often seems to be in a state of flux, with more changes possibly to come, what will any future relationship look like?

I don't know if I will word this correctly, but I will give it a shot....

I don't really like either of the female lead characters and yet I like this drama.

Kim Eun Mi has so many rough edges, too many in fact, that I've found that they overshadow her better qualities. I've no doubt's she loves her daughter, however it seems she treats her more as a friend than daughter and this seems to have been consistent through their relationship. She is not bad mother but I'm not convinced she a good one either. I can't help but feel that there's some resentment lurking because she had a child so young.
Kim Jin Hee is more likable, she doesn't have as many rough edges, however many of her reactions are similar to those of her mother. She is quick to judge and they surely both have a temper. Again, there's a lack of thought before speaking, which can lead to hilarious results but again is not always an endearing quality. I think again there is some underlying resentment towards her mother because her childhood was less than conventional.

I have no doubt in a time of real need they would be there for each other. but would they be there for the more mundane situations? Maybe, maybe not.

Here's the crux though, i like when there on screen, particularly together. Its like your watching 2 trains about to collide..... I want to look away but I can't help but watch. There interactions are never dull. So there it is, for me at least, I don't like the 2 lead characters but I can't help but want to see more!

Sadly, I think your right, it was a stretch! Maybe as punishment he has to keep wearing the Liverpool kit...

I think there's a couple of points here.

There's no love triangle here, DZY has never given any indication that she has any romantic love towards LMX. She loves LMX like a brother, a best friend a comrade.

She has admitted she loves HY, but as others have pointed out there's a huge gulf between,

IMO her brain has not caught up with her heart yet or at least they are not on the same page yet.

She is also most likely still in a huge amount of pain, she has her justice - but i can't imagine that has gone away - some of this pain will directed towards HY

I would also imagine she also a little lost, her mission for the last 10 years is over. This may have caused her turn towards LMX as her friend rather than the possible romantic relationship with HY - with all the baggage that brings.

Yes, I understand her hurt but I felt it was misdirected. I think she used him as an outlet for her pain. It does make me appreciate HY more though. He seems to take responsibility for the entire Han clan