DramaAjumma

There's little doubt that S2 is much better than the first for the fact that the pacing is so much better. I'm also enjoying the high level of thought and inventiveness in the storyline as it relates to Thunder City. I'm glad I watched this for Zhu Yilong but the actual plot can stand on its own merits. Even with all its flaws, as far as creativity and thoughtfulness goes, it beats most other offerings. Wu Xie is a well-written, admirable protagonist. It's no great surprise why when he tells his fellow travellers to jump, they say, "how high".

This predominantly male ensemble harkens back to an era of adventure films where daring and risk taking tethered to intelligence was celebrated. A wonderful tribute to a cooperative masculinity before the relentless oversexualization in popular culture.

I think what they were looking for was a female lead who could pass off as a guy. You don't want an actress that's too pretty either.

I'm beginning to understand what you're saying here. I don't mind that he fell hard and fast for her but what's really worrying is that his actions show a complete lack of discretion and he's putting her in an awkward position showing such obvious favoritism. He's a member of the royal family and he acts like an impulsive teenage boy when he's been so careful until now. I don't like where the script is going with this and the egregious anachronism is getting to me.

Really love the cinematography in S 2... very cinematic.

Cute, harmless fluff. Riddled with rom com cliches. At least the ladies don't annoy. The leads are good together. The lad that plays Pei Zhao reminds me of Merxat. Love the way he smirks.

Possibly. :D

No idea. Sorry I can't help you there.

I don't mind the Warehouse 11 doings. I enjoy the detective side of things there and Zhu Yilong did a good job carrying a lot of it on his own. The ideas there are decent and as for Xiao Bai, she serves her purpose there as Wu Xie's guide which makes sense although I am surprised that there aren't at least one or two more females. Given the nature of the work there, I can see why it is a predominantly male sphere. The downer for me was Piaopiao in those last few episodes.
I don't doubt the censorship issue prevails. But I think the C drama industry needs to be a lot cleverer about getting past the scrutiny of the censors the way Hollywood did in those early days.

No. There's a second season to come. ;)

The part where Piaopiao assumed Xu Wu was the one who helped her find the bone marrow donor really took the cake. I thought to myself... Wow... this woman can't possibly be that silly. The way the writing demeans the character is mind boggling. I also don't understand why she won't accept help from Pangzi who has been so good to her.

Even though I think this show suffers from similar problems to Mystic Nine with regards to the kind of slash and churn censorship that C dramas are subject to, it's still a much better production overall. For the most part I have enjoyed the drama despite the uneven pacing. And of course Zhu Yilong covers a multitude of the shows sins with his performance. There are even glimpses of brilliance here and there. Somewhere in there there's a great story aching to be told. I'm not bothered by the fact that this story doesn't focus on the Iron Triangle in the second half but I am bothered by how the women (Xiao Bai the notable exception) have been included here. It's not just Piaopiao although she's the most egregious example. I can see how they all fit into the story and why they've been included. But their personalities stink. This is a problem I have with a lot of C dramas especially where women are peripheral or supporting characters. It's downright annoying.

I wonder what her daughter will think and say when she finds out. She has all the brains in that family.

There's really no other word for it. Piaopiao is stupid. Her character is such a grave disappointment. I feel very sorry for Pangzi (Fatty). And what is the show implying about mothers...
*shakes head*

I don't think you need to. They're all standalone stories but playing out in the same universe. MIght be better if you don't actually. Just watch it like you're watching anything that's new to you.

I'm sure she has an agenda. It could be insidious but it might not. It feels like someone wants to give Warehouse 11 a good shake up.

Despite all its flaws the reason why I keep coming back for more isn't just because Zhu Yilong is wonderful as Wu Xie but ultimately this is a detective drama with Indiana Jones trappings. I haven't seen the others and I don't feel the need to. But there are good and even original ideas driving the narrative. I am enjoying the Warehouse 11 stuff and surprisingly I'm enjoying the partnership with Xiao Bai.

I can't even begin to understand the Legend of Yunxi comparisons. Yunxi wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination but this show is not even half the show that Yunxi was. The storyline has very superficial similarities. I like Merxat but honestly the chemistry between the leads here can't even compare with YX

I am also watching this primarily because of Zhu Yilong. I persevered through a lot of filler because of him. I've loved him since Bordertown Prodigal. He has a way of giving a character much more dimension than most.
It's not a bad show overall but there's too much filler for my taste. But I like the main iron triangle enough to keep going. And the Warehouse 11 arc is an intriguing concept.

I've seen Mystic Nine. But honestly I can follow this show without any understanding of the previous incarnations. I didn't even need to draw on my knowledge of Mystic Nine. I just follow the White Rabbit. ;)
The show has been constructed as a standalone story.

Sounds like it's better not to have seen any of the previous iterations of the drama. Honestly there's really no need to watch the earlier ones. It's like watching another version of Justice Bao or Dee Renjie.