I would love for someone to tell me what they thought of this episode without talking about the love triangle. (It sounds like that might be hard to do, but that's what I'm looking for, please). 😉
I had to do some careful work the first 1/3 as I watched, but it pays off down the road, never fear. Season 2…
Also, Lin Shu/Chang Su was born for court politics and machinations, and is obviously a master at all things strategy. Ping Jing is very smart and talented, but he's a free spirit, and his heart was never in the capital. That becomes an important part of Ping Jing's arc.
One last thing: it's really fun to see the way Ping Jing rides the wave of thoughtfulness, goodness and reputation carefully and painstakingly crafted by ChangLin (i.e. by his father and brother and even by Chang Su/Lin Shu decades prior). And it's so enjoyable to see the way they tie little moments at the end of Season 2 into things we know from Season 1. It's masterful, and obviously very carefully thought-through by the writer/director.
I was wondering why he has so few main roles in dramas after Nirvana In Fire and it looks like it's because he's been doing movies instead. He's great! Would love to see more of him in dramas. 😏
One last thing: it's really fun to see the way Ping Jing rides the wave of thoughtfulness, goodness and reputation carefully and painstakingly crafted by ChangLin (i.e. by his father and brother and even by Chang Su/Lin Shu decades prior). And it's so enjoyable to see the way they tie little moments at the end of Season 2 into things we know from Season 1. It's masterful, and obviously very carefully thought-through by the writer/director.
Anyway, hope you enjoy it!