Between The Lines

No episode is complete without an unnecessary bath scene or her staring hatefully thinking she is smarter than everyone else!

Once I've started a drama I try and stick with it until the end, I managed to make it through to the end of Snow Eagle Lord and that was a really tough watch.! I will keep going with this drama in the hope the second half improves!!

I've realised 2 things up until this point -
1) I don't really like any of the characters, even Anle and HY who I should like are kind of bland... there just not very interesting. Maybe its because they just keep repeating the same tired old lines.
2) I'm reaching that point, where I don't really care about any the characters either, which might be worse than not liking them. I've watched drama's in the past with unlikable characters but I've wanted to know what happens to them. Not sure that's the case with any of the characters here.

Can't help but feel this cast deserved a better script and better direction

I'm beginning to struggle more and more with this drama. Maybe having heard more about the novel, which sounds really really good by the way, this drama just hasn't come close to my expectations. Episode 18 was a step forward, episode 19 felt like a step back. I enjoyed a few moments of episode 19 but overall some of the progress I felt was made in ep 18 was undone. In particular the fake DZY role in ep 19 seem 's to be just another way to extend an already tedious story arc. Can we just move on already??? At least she didn't have a bath this time, so small mercies in this regards I suppose... I say all this as I sigh in exasperation...

I don't know, i would think the most logical reaction would be to perhaps to try and escape the fire first maybe? They didn't even look! Instead they decided to sit and have a chat whilst HY had a gander at Anle's papercut! Which made little sense given the size of the door that fell on her! Maybe they had read the script in advance and knew they were both going to survive??? The only thing missing was the fake DZY appearing for another bath! Seriously though i did like the episode but this scene was a little silly.

I think adaptations of novels can be a double edged sword. They can bring the written word to life on screen or they and hang around the neck of a drama if it fails to meet expectations.
Sadly some adaptations want to use the fans of the novel to improve ratings but only pay lip service to the original novel or at very least miss the tone the author was trying to convey. I haven't read this novel but I've gathered this drama has really missed on the characters of our main leads.

Have I missed something??? What is the issue about being fans of either YY or WDX? Am I allowed to be fans of both? Is there a problem about the actors or the roles they play in this drama?

YY, in this drama has delivered a maturity in his performance that has shown both the strengths and the weakness of his character. I've enjoyed his interactions with fellow firefighters and the romance scenes he has appeared in. His character is infinitely likeable in this drama.

WDX, has done a good job of portraying the obsessive brother and the super controlled son. Both were delivered in an understated way. I have never liked the nature of his relationship with his step sister in this drama, however WDX as an actor delivers this performance well. Ultimately, his character isn't likeable in this drama.

Both actors were asked to perform different roles and they accomplished there tasks well. I would like to think most people can separate between the actor and the roles they play.

Maybe that's what she did mean, however that still isn't a victim of circumstances. The people involved did make choices. Between Anle, LMX and fake DZY actions they have arrived at this point. Maybe, this comment was supposed to us feel sorry for the fake DZY? or to even avoid taking responsibility for setting her on this path? I actually would have preferred it if Anle had fully owned the decision she made to switch places. It would have given her an "edge" that her character currently lacks.

I do have one issue with what Anle said about the fake DZY- she called her a victim of circumstances. I don't see how that is possible.
Firstly, LMX and Anle used her as a tool in their revenge plot when they switched her with Anle on the mountain. This was intentional, this has nothing to do with circumstances.
Secondly, fake DZY through her own actions is putting herself in harms way. Again. this is not circumstances, this her own choice.
If indeed the fake DZY is a victim then are LMX and Anle to blame? Did they not set her on this path?

All the warmth of SY and XQ had with each other then and the same with SY's family. The genuine friendship of the firefighters all in the first part of the episode. The second part of the episode - I could really feel the freezing cold grip that engulfs the Meng family. Like night and day.....

Why should logic interfere with a drama!! Looking back the door falling on her legs and HY just picks up on his own - is he suddenly the Hulk??? , HY treating her wounds whilst surrounded by flames??? I mean seriously, logic was definitely removed from these scenes

Best episode for a while for me, the question is can they build upon it?

In regards the fake DZY screentime and how she fits in with the story, I think its about context, she has more screen time than her character deserves or requires. In terms of the overall plot she could have featured in perhaps 3 episodes which done in the right way would have driven the plot further.
Example -
Summoned back by the emperor
Introduced to our leads - make her the clear favourite as the Crown Princess.
Have her assassinated on the way to the Crown Princess selection, without revealing who's behind it - so many possibilities!
Just my personal opinion but this might have added some much need to mystery/intrigue to the plot whilst driving the overall story. Instead we got her taking a bath!
I appreciate that this would shift clearly away from the novel, but in the context of the drama would that have been a bad thing?

I think its about context, she has more screen time than her character deserves or requires.

Your not helping!!!! I'm no longer angry, I'm just sad now....... I'm now going to sit in a corner and sulk!

I don't hate the fact that the fake DZY is getting sooo much screentime, I object to the fact that she actually has offered nothing note worthy to the story development. Yes, she's fake, yes she has her own agenda, but she has shown nothing remotely that moves the plot forward in a positive way. In the end we have an unlikable character, who yes has gotten way too much screen time, that hasn't added any value to the plot and in the end doesn't realise that she's completely out of her depth. Her entire character arc should have been wrapped up in 2/3 episodes, yet after 17 episodes we are still having to watch her......... I'm having issues with with this drama anyway, so can someone please make her stop! Sorry Rant over!

I want to watch this drama! This sounds so much more interesting than what I've seen so far. One of the things I liked about LLTG was the emphasis displayed on the impact of the destruction of the Huo Clan. It added weight to the story. Whilst I don't want to compare this drama to LLTG there is a clear difference in depth of story between the two. Personally a "perfect" character often ends up being limited or has little or no character development. I don't hate this drama but I don't love it either, its starting to feel like a lot of potential wasted.

I can't comment on the novel, but I think the script/direction isn't doing either of the characters any favours. They are both are pretty one dimensional or at least limited as characters. This is a disservice to both. Anle - is the sassy yet smart FL and HY is the oh so perfect ML. This is hardly original. I assume this isn't how the novel was written. Given the pacing of this drama, they could have done so much more with both.

Thank you for the info. Given that, maybe its the lack of contrast between the major events that has been the problem then. Everything has at least to me been low key.

I thought the first scenes had a filler type feel but as it progressed I actually thought it became more. It was perhaps a reminder that just because SY and XQ are together that doesn't mean they won't face trials. SY has a very dangerous job and XQ will face always face challenges because her job. They are together but that doesn't mean life is automatically perfect. That's what i took from the second half of the episode at least. I do agree I'm glad we shifted away from MYC today.