Between The Lines

I like what I watched today, and your analysis makes sense. The slight issue have is that the way HY and Anle for that matter have been written within this drama. What we might call negative traits or flaws have hardly been touched on in the leads. If they have, they have often been portrayed positively. From a drama perspective there character development was limited. They are a little to perfect at times, which is at odds with todays events.. Again, loved this different element from HY but this new trait just appeared from no where. This is a story telling issue/character development issue rather than a emotional issue.

Agreed, but as with most characters there's clearly been a difference of opinions regarding HY, hence the list of different adjectives. I've viewed him as a deep thinker, someone who is for the most part intelligent, who looks at the big picture even if this isn't in his own personal interests. I think that's what made todays events surprising - I don't recall ever seeing him that ruthless.

I've seen many adjectives used to describe Han Ye over the last 29 episodes, handsome, weak, righteous, guilty, innocent, dull, intelligent, passive, good, bland, heartbroken, analytical and even effeminate - I'm sure there's many more -

After todays episode - To this list I will add - Bad Ass

I tip my cap to you sir, after 29 episodes you managed to still surprise me.

I really loved this moment, but I wished we had seen more of this previously. having said that, its maybe because it was so sudden, so surprising, so unlike HY, that it gave it a greater impact. Word of advice for any bad guys out there, Don't make Han Ye mad!

Han Yee - your killing it -Like Literally ! That's how you combine selflessness and ruthlessness all in one swing of a sword...

DZY - "I only believe in evidence" Ouch! Nice little dig at HY.

Ironically, she did then backtrack some what on the whole evidence thing. A bit of a leap for me on how they got from the Emperor did it, no he didn't it was Northern Qin! but this does help advance the plot at least so not a major issue.

I think they are just teasing us now over Wen Shuo identity - its happening, its happening and then..... it doesn't.... come on HY tell someone, tell anyone,,,,,,please!

Glad it isn't just me!

Errr,,,, is it just me, but based on some of the spoilers out there right now, there seems to be huge amount still to cover in the remaining episodes. As in too much to do it well.... sigh...

Surely there not going to try to get all this in?

Hmmm... at least we all got see all those episodes about the Crown Princess selection, and HY got it right in end.........oh wait he did what now???? sorry another sigh...

Just a quick shout out, whilst I'm waiting for the next 10 hours 23mins 22 seconds to pass before the next episode drops- yes I am now counting down ...

I wanted to thank everyone who I've managed to interact with over the last few days, we have had interesting discussions, shared thoughts and debated characters. - The fake DZY discussion was a real highlight.
Also novel readers, thank you for sharing your insights, this has certainly helped me with my viewing experience of this drama

The ability to share opinions in this forum has only added to overall enjoyment for drama watching.

Thank you all, its only another 10 hours 17 mins 9 seconds.....

Anle's outrageous flirting is one of the highlights in the early episodes, she makes them a fun watch. You get to the see the evolution between the 2 leads over a number episodes. I had some issues with elements of the story early on, but the chemistry between 2 leads kept me watching. The overall story definitely improves as you get further into the episodes

Your absolutely entitled to your opinion, as is everyone else. At least we can agree to end it here.

Actually dude. yes I am thanks... Anning has a role to play in the events following the massacre that took place. Yes she was a child, but even if she couldn't say anything immediately as grew up and became the heroic general she is supposed to be, with all the guilt she is supposed to feel, she has never said anything even to HY... oh wait she did say something, when Anle and HY had done all the work for her. Additionally, i did not say she killed anyone, but has some responsibility, she may not have been involved in the deaths but she allowed the injustice and resentment to continue. She had 10 years to do something and never did until it was almost too late. I will admit this would not have been easy to do as a child but she had many more opportunities in the subsequent 10 years to do something and yet she did nothing. Giving her a free pass is nonsense. Maybe next time if you don't agree with a statement I make ask why first? I'm more than happy to have a friendly discussion even if we don't always agree.

It could be, this would be a pretty human reaction, although I hope that's not the case, it kind of diminishes him as a character I think. He's the most intriguing/well crafted character in the drama, I don't like to think of him as the jealous type!

I think you've summarise this very well. Many of my thoughts are along these lines. I think when justice is considered as a concept there is an attempt of some sort of balancing of the scales. This sadly is very rarely possible. How do you balance the eradication of an entire family and 80,000 soldiers. I don't think you can do this with tipping over those scales from justice to revenge. I've always felt that DZY focus has largely been seeking justice and clearing her family's name with the expectation that those responsible will be punished. With LMX justice was only a step in the process and his end goal was a more revenge based outcome. I guess we will see.

In the broader sense of this drama, its never been made it clear, was this about justice or about revenge. LMX & DYC have interchanged on this. If this is a quest for justice then who gets to decide what that looks like? Is justice always fair? What does revenge look like? The same as what happened to the Di family? at this point wouldn't that make our victims the perpetrators? In this scenario wouldn't HY be entitled to seek some justice? Where would it end?

Thank you! You've just made my day!

Well said its a very valid point, maybe an issue of the emotion blocking the facts?
I also believe that HY only "crime" is to be his fathers son. I have no problem with punishments being delivered to those actually responsible i.e the ED and the emperor but you can't punish HY for their sins. If you do, how is that any better than what was done to the Di family and the 80,000 soldiers?

Fun for a first episode, thought one or two wobbly moments with the CGI but generally pretty good. Have to say favourite part was the new villain's. they got the whole sinister violent creepiness vibe going straight off the bat...

Definite change of focus in the latest episodes to the wider story. Interested to see if this continues or will we have more crimes to solve.

I think my favourite part was in ep 17 with FDB anger at LLH in the market and the inn. Somehow whilst barely speaking LLH still dominated these scenes... the changes of expression were spot on, he was like a parent smiling indulgently at child throwing a tantrum...

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I think we will have to agree to disagree over HY! I think we just see him very differently. The same with some of the other characters we just see them differently. Lets just hope we get a satisfying conclusion to the drama.

LMX is my favourite character, and the certainly his role is the most well written in this drama. I agree with the principle of what he is aiming to do, but there are 2 questions with it. How far is he prepared to go? and is this what DZY wants if this hurts innocent people?