So with only 1 day 15 hours 47 minutes and 39 seconds until until the next episode....sigh...
I've begun to think this might end up being my favourite drama of 2023, admittedly, with still half this drama still to watch.
There has been some good drama's this year, but few great ones, at least for me. I'm really struggling to come up with one better. (So far)
Without re-hashing everything I've previously said, this drama seems to have found great lead characters, a good supporting cast, a solid plot and with pacing that shouldn't really work, but actually does.
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait another 1 day 15 hours 43 minutes and 12 seconds until the next episodes....sigh...
Agreed and it's also such a disservice to the character of LTG that they were building up as cunning, ruthless,…
Well put! As you said it was jarring and to me and not a necessary direction to take. If they insist on trying to insert LTG as a third wheel then at least keep him true to the character we had previously seen. It was a nice change to see healthy communication between the leads, to often in the drama's i watch, most misunderstandings are created because of poor communication.
I know something is being done right when after 18 episodes and I'm just enjoying the journey.
I know something is being done right when after 18 episodes and despite limited mission progress by the delegation I have no complaints.
I know something is being done right when after 18 episodes I see very few references to the drama dragging
If they can continue this level of story telling, with the mix of drama, comedy, action and romance then I know it will be one of my favourite drama's of 2023.
The Assassin - I think this is obvious from episode 1 The Seductress - see above The Friend - to Ling Long The Team Mate - Go Team Ning! The Master - Li Tong Guang The Daughter - The former Empress and her Godmother The Sister - Yuan Lu - i get an older sister vibe when these two are on screen. The Mother/Protector/Teacher - with Yang Ying she manages to be all 3! The Woman - only with Ning.
Firstly, its an epically good performance to be believable in every role she play's. Secondly, what I liked about ep 18 it reminded me that despite her many different faces, she only ever allows Ning to see her as the woman behind all the other face's. Li Tong Guang is going to be very disappointed.
Yeah I didn’t like the direction they took with LTG either - it’s a distasteful gender reversed parody of…
In respect of LTG, I fear that with the the introduction of this storyline now its likely to last through much of the remaining episodes....sigh. After just watching another drama with a similar plotline, I would prefer if this is wrapped up quickly, although i thinks its unlikely.
I agree this is a life choice that shapes their entire future, maybe this is one of the times where Ruyi goes off to work and Ning takes care of the house and kids? Regardless, at least they have been honest and have actually listened to each other, that gives them a chance to find the right path forward. (I hope)
Ep 17 is the first episode that I didn't really like, I just didn't like the direction it took with Yang Ying and Li Tong Guang. I'm pleased that they addressed this quickly with Yang Ying, however Li Tong Guang appears to be headed down an obsessive stalker path. I think this makes him somewhat weaker as a character.
I enjoyed ep 18 far more simply because of Ning and Ruyi, Ning trying balance his jealousy with the needs of the mission. Ruyi composed, seemly in every scene during the episode. That was until the "talk" The issues this conversation brought haves been developing, particularly for Ruyi. This trip has provided insight into what she wants her future to be beyond that of an assassin.
On the surface this conservation shows that they want different things, however I found it really refreshing simply because they were completely honest with each other. They didn't allow any misunderstanding to develop. Ruyi honesty was maybe hard for her to say, it was certainly difficult for Ning to hear, but i found it refreshing and heartfelt.
I disagree. She is a bird in a cage, shelter in the palace. Controlled. This experience show her the real world…
I'm not sure we are talking about the exact same thing. My point was not about the right or wrongs of what is happening. I'm not being critical of the actions that have being taken either. I'm looking at it Yang Ying perspective and what we know about her. She is by all accounts innocent to the darker side of life. To have your eyes forcefully opened to reality can be both necessary and a harsh awakening.
I disagree. She is a bird in a cage, shelter in the palace. Controlled. This experience show her the real world…
I agree she was in a cage, but it was not a gilded one. She was dismissed, held in contempt with little or no love. This is why she likely fell in love with the wrong person.
Ning & Ruyi clearly do care for her, but they have at times also stripped of her innocence, yes they are teaching her for her own good, but its still a painful experience for her.
Everything that is happening, is as I said necessary, she needed these things to happen, but just because its for own good doesn't mean that at times its not cruel.
Yang Ying almost from the very beginning has had her innocence stripped away, piece by piece by piece. Her faith and trust in people, assuming that they were good, has eroded before her eyes. Given her position, this was likely necessary in order for her to survive. Yet, it is still painful to watch. Some would like to call this simply character growth, but to me this is dismissive of her experiences. Everything she has believed in, her naïve beliefs have been cruelly ripped apart.
With this being said, I can't help but think, is this all part of a grander, more elaborate process? An essentially good person who is now aware of the darker sides of those closest to her. Would this not be the perfect training for a future Empress? Just an idle thought....
She was happy he only told her, not that he was poisoned per se . I think they have similar moral codex (in their…
They are not ordinary, so why would their romance be ordinary? I would imagine Ruyi would prefer a dagger rather then flowers! I just though it was a nice touch to show how their serious "day job's" could still provide a moment of happiness/romance. I agree though i hope we avoid the any cliché.
In most drama's with a romance theme you get your typical cute/sweet moments. Flowers given, holding hands for the first time etc....
Romance for Ruyi and Ning appears to be slightly different though, Ruyi seems so happy about Ning being poisoned because she is the only one he's told.... I could almost see the 💞💞from her eyes.....
"Don't fall in love with a man easily" "You must have a child of your own" - Empress Zhao Jie
As last words go, these are pretty powerful, with such far reaching consequences depending on your understanding of them.
These words have obviously shaped Ruyi action's already, much to my amusement, Her take charge approach to having a baby has been fun and it has also brought her closer to Ning.
To me the important part of Empress Zhao Jie final words are actually the reference to not falling in love easily. At least to the extent of how Ruyi understands them. There's already been a glimpse of Ruyi subconscious interpreting these negatively in ep 11.
"Don't fall in love with a man easily" at some point may become "Don't fall in love" at least in Ruyi mind. If this does happen, I can't help but think this will cause some serious angst in future episodes for Ning and Ruyi.
A very well written drama with great plot and interesting characters delivering their promises. We have a just…
That's an excellent description of Ruyi. I like it. She is very mission focused which can mean's she is unaware or she ignores social convention. I think this is perfectly typified in her initial approach to having a baby.
I think one of things that has impressed me so far is how they have retained a healthy balance between the different themes of this drama. Romance, Politics' and Drama have all had time to shine but never to the exclusion of the others, Personally I would add comedy as well, at times this is just funny. Its this balance that allows each storyline to keep developing during each episode.
Episodes 10-12 were really good and should get plenty of praise, but it again highlights the importance of the previous episodes. These were not fillers, these were important steps that were necessary to allow the last few episodes to shine.
I'm glad its taken them 12 episodes to reach their destination, as I've become invested in the characters and I've got to watch some great action, drama and romance. (With a few laugh's thrown in as well)
1 
I've begun to think this might end up being my favourite drama of 2023, admittedly, with still half this drama still to watch.
There has been some good drama's this year, but few great ones, at least for me. I'm really struggling to come up with one better. (So far)
Without re-hashing everything I've previously said, this drama seems to have found great lead characters, a good supporting cast, a solid plot and with pacing that shouldn't really work, but actually does.
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait another 1 day 15 hours 43 minutes and 12 seconds until the next episodes....sigh...
As you said it was jarring and to me and not a necessary direction to take. If they insist on trying to insert LTG as a third wheel then at least keep him true to the character we had previously seen.
It was a nice change to see healthy communication between the leads, to often in the drama's i watch, most misunderstandings are created because of poor communication.
I know something is being done right when after 18 episodes and despite limited mission progress by the delegation I have no complaints.
I know something is being done right when after 18 episodes I see very few references to the drama dragging
If they can continue this level of story telling, with the mix of drama, comedy, action and romance then I know it will be one of my favourite drama's of 2023.
The Assassin - I think this is obvious from episode 1
The Seductress - see above
The Friend - to Ling Long
The Team Mate - Go Team Ning!
The Master - Li Tong Guang
The Daughter - The former Empress and her Godmother
The Sister - Yuan Lu - i get an older sister vibe when these two are on screen.
The Mother/Protector/Teacher - with Yang Ying she manages to be all 3!
The Woman - only with Ning.
Firstly, its an epically good performance to be believable in every role she play's. Secondly, what I liked about ep 18 it reminded me that despite her many different faces, she only ever allows Ning to see her as the woman behind all the other face's. Li Tong Guang is going to be very disappointed.
I agree this is a life choice that shapes their entire future, maybe this is one of the times where Ruyi goes off to work and Ning takes care of the house and kids? Regardless, at least they have been honest and have actually listened to each other, that gives them a chance to find the right path forward. (I hope)
I enjoyed ep 18 far more simply because of Ning and Ruyi, Ning trying balance his jealousy with the needs of the mission. Ruyi composed, seemly in every scene during the episode. That was until the "talk" The issues this conversation brought haves been developing, particularly for Ruyi. This trip has provided insight into what she wants her future to be beyond that of an assassin.
On the surface this conservation shows that they want different things, however I found it really refreshing simply because they were completely honest with each other. They didn't allow any misunderstanding to develop. Ruyi honesty was maybe hard for her to say, it was certainly difficult for Ning to hear, but i found it refreshing and heartfelt.
She is by all accounts innocent to the darker side of life. To have your eyes forcefully opened to reality can be both necessary and a harsh awakening.
Ning & Ruyi clearly do care for her, but they have at times also stripped of her innocence, yes they are teaching her for her own good, but its still a painful experience for her.
Everything that is happening, is as I said necessary, she needed these things to happen, but just because its for own good doesn't mean that at times its not cruel.
With this being said, I can't help but think, is this all part of a grander, more elaborate process? An essentially good person who is now aware of the darker sides of those closest to her. Would this not be the perfect training for a future Empress? Just an idle thought....
These latest episodes perhaps provide the answer, if he ever falls in in love with a strong smart woman I fear for his safety.
He reminds me of someone who bought a book - "The idiots guide to Romance and Seduction" and even then only looked at the pictures.
His cluelessness is at least entertaining!
I just though it was a nice touch to show how their serious "day job's" could still provide a moment of happiness/romance. I agree though i hope we avoid the any cliché.
Romance for Ruyi and Ning appears to be slightly different though, Ruyi seems so happy about Ning being poisoned because she is the only one he's told.... I could almost see the 💞💞from her eyes.....
Who knew being poisoned could be romantic???
As last words go, these are pretty powerful, with such far reaching consequences depending on your understanding of them.
These words have obviously shaped Ruyi action's already, much to my amusement, Her take charge approach to having a baby has been fun and it has also brought her closer to Ning.
To me the important part of Empress Zhao Jie final words are actually the reference to not falling in love easily. At least to the extent of how Ruyi understands them. There's already been a glimpse of Ruyi subconscious interpreting these negatively in ep 11.
"Don't fall in love with a man easily" at some point may become "Don't fall in love" at least in Ruyi mind. If this does happen, I can't help but think this will cause some serious angst in future episodes for Ning and Ruyi.
Episodes 10-12 were really good and should get plenty of praise, but it again highlights the importance of the previous episodes. These were not fillers, these were important steps that were necessary to allow the last few episodes to shine.
I'm glad its taken them 12 episodes to reach their destination, as I've become invested in the characters and I've got to watch some great action, drama and romance. (With a few laugh's thrown in as well)
When asked what her parents do for a living? "My dads runs a spy network and my mums a lethal assassin" Definitely not ordinary