This review may contain spoilers
Worthwhile show but not great. (Part I and II review)
Firstly ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I have the patience to watch a slow burn? Yes? Are you sure? Okay then go crazy, because this show took a long time for any mutual romantic build up between the main characters and when it did....I was confused??
2. Do you suffer from second lead syndrome? Yes? Then proceed with caution.
3. Are you going to be focused on the political aspect of this show or the romantic aspect? If political, then this may or may not be your cup of tea, since the starting politics were mostly petty and the real political drama only unfolds later down.
Yap Session, (I'm just ranting)
While watching this show, I found myself focusing more on the mini plots, particularly within the palace. I especially loved the story of the Emperor, Empress and Consort Yue, it was perfection. It was so perfectly executed with the help of the characters' dynamics and their acting.
What made these mini stories special, was their interrelation with the main plot, how they influence the story no matter how minor the story. I loved how each character in the story seemed to develop with their own flaws, their mindset were very realistic, allowing you to contrast characters of seemingly different social statutes that have the same dilemma.
Another plot in this story I absolutely loved was the family plot, I loved the relationship ShaoSheng had with her family. I loved how the story portrayed how complicated a mother's love can be towards their child. For some reason, I found myself slightly rooting for ShaoSheng's mother (let me tell you why..) Shao Sheng is clearly unruly, thanks to her not learning any etiquette. Therefore, her mother tries to instill womanlike practices into her as much as she can, so that no one can look down on her for being a common general's daughter. It is clear it is her first time being around her daughter and thus, she fails to understand how to get through to her, ugh the angst...this story was a bigger tearjerker than anything else in the show especially when the empress came in to play a part into this family plot.
So I must admit, the romance between the main characters was overshadowed, and I may be biased....since to me, the romance between Ling Buyi and Chen Shao Sheng was a tad bit disappointing. The male lead was cool but I found myself struggling to love his character, he was so edgy..and I know it was for a good reason but I had a hard time accepting their relationship dynamic..and I somehow preferred the relationship between Chen Shao Sheng and Yao, I couldn't help but wish Chen Shao Sheng ended up with Yao, someone who would have given her lots of love, without putting her through hell in the slightest, it was clear to see his affection, because he knew what affection, thanks to the love he received from his mother and brother..
This is what egged me about the male lead, it's clear he does not know how to really show affection as he is not used to it, and well he tried (I cannot argue about this too much) but Shao Sheng was painted as someone who never really knew love, so I wished she got with the affectionate Yao instead.
Also, I feel like the romance between the characters only blossomed because Shao Sheng was a damsel in distress .(because she always had her nose up in grown peoples' business) You don't believe me?...count how many times Shao Sheng got in danger...and how many times Ling Buyi had to save her.
SPOILER:
I really dislike the second chance trope, especially when it is a subplot TOWARDS THE END OF THE SHOW?? make it worse, when you have invested so much hours into watching the relationship start rocky, go smoothly, then fall through...yeah this set me off badly.
No...now that I'm recalling this really made me mad, I was hoping Shao Sheng just remained single..this relationship required so much effort it was crazy.
1. Do I have the patience to watch a slow burn? Yes? Are you sure? Okay then go crazy, because this show took a long time for any mutual romantic build up between the main characters and when it did....I was confused??
2. Do you suffer from second lead syndrome? Yes? Then proceed with caution.
3. Are you going to be focused on the political aspect of this show or the romantic aspect? If political, then this may or may not be your cup of tea, since the starting politics were mostly petty and the real political drama only unfolds later down.
Yap Session, (I'm just ranting)
While watching this show, I found myself focusing more on the mini plots, particularly within the palace. I especially loved the story of the Emperor, Empress and Consort Yue, it was perfection. It was so perfectly executed with the help of the characters' dynamics and their acting.
What made these mini stories special, was their interrelation with the main plot, how they influence the story no matter how minor the story. I loved how each character in the story seemed to develop with their own flaws, their mindset were very realistic, allowing you to contrast characters of seemingly different social statutes that have the same dilemma.
Another plot in this story I absolutely loved was the family plot, I loved the relationship ShaoSheng had with her family. I loved how the story portrayed how complicated a mother's love can be towards their child. For some reason, I found myself slightly rooting for ShaoSheng's mother (let me tell you why..) Shao Sheng is clearly unruly, thanks to her not learning any etiquette. Therefore, her mother tries to instill womanlike practices into her as much as she can, so that no one can look down on her for being a common general's daughter. It is clear it is her first time being around her daughter and thus, she fails to understand how to get through to her, ugh the angst...this story was a bigger tearjerker than anything else in the show especially when the empress came in to play a part into this family plot.
So I must admit, the romance between the main characters was overshadowed, and I may be biased....since to me, the romance between Ling Buyi and Chen Shao Sheng was a tad bit disappointing. The male lead was cool but I found myself struggling to love his character, he was so edgy..and I know it was for a good reason but I had a hard time accepting their relationship dynamic..and I somehow preferred the relationship between Chen Shao Sheng and Yao, I couldn't help but wish Chen Shao Sheng ended up with Yao, someone who would have given her lots of love, without putting her through hell in the slightest, it was clear to see his affection, because he knew what affection, thanks to the love he received from his mother and brother..
This is what egged me about the male lead, it's clear he does not know how to really show affection as he is not used to it, and well he tried (I cannot argue about this too much) but Shao Sheng was painted as someone who never really knew love, so I wished she got with the affectionate Yao instead.
Also, I feel like the romance between the characters only blossomed because Shao Sheng was a damsel in distress .(because she always had her nose up in grown peoples' business) You don't believe me?...count how many times Shao Sheng got in danger...and how many times Ling Buyi had to save her.
SPOILER:
I really dislike the second chance trope, especially when it is a subplot TOWARDS THE END OF THE SHOW?? make it worse, when you have invested so much hours into watching the relationship start rocky, go smoothly, then fall through...yeah this set me off badly.
No...now that I'm recalling this really made me mad, I was hoping Shao Sheng just remained single..this relationship required so much effort it was crazy.
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