Enigma05

The Story of Nut Sack

The title says it all, doesn't it? I can't say this was a highly anticipated drama for me, but I did add it to my watchlist because of ZLH. At the time, I hadn't yet seen ZJM in anything but was familiar with the SML or CHY and several others in the supporting cast from previous things. I however didn't expect to see so much of the series essentially taken over by SRQ and away from the ML and leads altogether. It was sad and everyone was sick of it. Instead of The Princess Royal, this should have been renamed "The Story of Nut Sack." That's what I dubbed him; even funnier just how many people started using that nickname after I put it out there. I knew we were all in the same boat.

Pros: Everyone's acting. The leads really embodied their characters especially ZJM or LR; I'd only seen her in a modern drama at the beginning of this year. For a 21 year old, she sure knows how to act. Very impressive. ZLH or PWX, though relegated to a virtual supporting character, he was infinitely patient and loved with all of his heart. I don't know how he was written in the novel as I never read those but he did the best with what he was given. Little prince was too cute and I really liked him with QZZ. It was actually funny that he in real life is older than ZJM who plays his older sister. The other characters I liked were SY, SRH, QL, LFB, the eunuch, and the rest of the folks on team LC. None of these characters were cookie cutter good. They were all complicated with problems that they had to overcome and evolve into. That was the part of it that was really good. The sword fights were good; loved when PWX told nut sack off at the end for being so damn delusional and how he had every choice in life number two to change everything but still didn't. I also really loved the OSTs.

Neutral: Before I start on the cons, I just want to make sure people understand that I have no hate towards any of the actors. Though this story of nut sack was played by CHY, the actor did the best he could with what he was given. He himself is still very new in the industry and green. I do hope for better work for him. I think he was miscast here. If you want him in a good drama; check out "Warm on a Cold Night."

Cons: The people responsible for turning this story into the mess it became, was production. The script was absolutely horrendous (we had a second lifetime of do overs to get things right but instead what we got was a convoluted mess); it turned the story away from the leads and to the SML who wasn't even given a billing lead role but as a supporting character. How could they do that to him given how much screen time they gave him? Really unfair to the actor. At every turn, nut sack took most of full episodes of screen time and became essentially an obsessed lunatic with forced second lead syndrome plus producers really wanted to give him a redemption arc, though they still killed him; but his constant glorification was pretty ridiculous. He was vile and stupid; he killed her in their first life, yes with two others but he was probably the first forgiven. If the reason it took her longer to forgive her little brother and SY was because she cared about both more, why the hell did she waste so much time yelling for nut sack to turn back to the right path? Right up until his fiery death, both leads still were trying to get this POS to see reason and become good. It just didn't make any logical sense. Reason and what we were seeing were two different things and this was constant. Say one thing, mean another. Just constant contradictions until you got a damn headache! I can't begin to even really explain what happened to the story but it went from in-fighting palace politics over a throne in two lives that would have still happened to absolute chaos with the SML. A lot of the time, you were wondering; what was even happening and why? Many scenes had you cracking up because they were so absurd.

Nut sack was both Superman and somehow escaped flames for a long time after being stabbed plus he was able to play a song. What in the what? Way too many loopholes and continuity issues; arrow that killed consort Ru came from where? How did her daughter scream without opening her mouth? Cheng 2.0 came from where; was he created from clay? How did nut sack catch up to LR when they went diving off the cliff? When did this turn into a Xianxia? And many others. Suspension of disbelief was a constant must. Wasn't this an S+++ drama? Why the hell was everything so cheap looking? Where did all of the money go?

The ending was rushed obviously because over half an hour was spent on nut sack's last time on earth, though the sword fight with PWX wasn't bad. It was an HE for our 3 couples but very rushed and a lot of the characters didn't even get proper closure as they were just left on the sidelines or disappeared altogether. So now we're getting an extra episode at some point because our leads barely got their 3rd wedding in and the kids weren't shown. My question to producers is, was it worth it? To screw up a great story for one character that should have been kept as is. Only reason this got the score it got was because of the really awesome acting of the actors.

Would I recommend it? Even though the actors were awesome, this story was a mess and I can't with good conscience recommend something so completely out of left field. Even if you didn't read the book (like me), as just a viewer, you'll know very quickly something is very off about the story. All of these actors deserve a better script, so I'd recommend you watch all of them in other things.

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An Absolute Slam Dunk of Sweet Victory!

All Xianxias should be like this! PA redemption and a perfect score across the board, which is incredibly rare for me. Obviously watched for both leads in this reunion that blew many dramas out of the water. This was an absolute slam dunk of sweet victory!

Pros: Literally everything! Though I never read the novel, those that did made it obvious that this series followed the novel by about 98% which is very rare. The novel had a solid storyline and this kept it exactly there with apparently lots more comedy. Comedy was good here. Even in the somewhat angsty scenes, it was ever present. Both leads (SL and XZ) delivered stellar performances and their connection started literally from episode one and the mortal realm. Their love transcended all three realms. All of the characters were very layered; though some needed evolution and growth where originally they were annoying. SL playing the powerless chicken while the human XZ takes care of her was just hysterical. Once she returned to the immortal realm, though she still had that prearranged marriage to that annoying FRJ (who up until the end when he finally grew up, I really wanted the maid to hit with her broom), XZ who I nicknamed Mr. Clingy as he clung to her like glue--when he still didn't understand that he was falling for her--and all of their interactions were gold.

There were 3 tragic characters in this story (all done extremely well by their respective actors); MF, and SL's parents. I know people hate on MF about his betrayal but he had no choice as we saw and he explained just before he took his own life. His identity didn't leave him the choice of not betraying her (by killing his own friends in the military but you could tell how much it affected him after the fact) and though at first he was brought up on hatred, it was because of her that he learned about love. But he refused to kill her or harm her and even when possessed fought against the demon FS to help her escape post her "death". If he had the choice, he would have betrayed the demons a long time ago. His own father didn't care about him; which as SL said, he was heartless. MF's only reason for existence according to the two demons was to be a spy and used as a body shell for both. Quite sad and unfair. Her mother was right about being shackled by your identity. Both parents fell in love despite dad being a demon and completely harmless but even they couldn't be saved from the demon emperor. Dad voluntarily had to become the fire seal to keep all the demons in that abyss and mom died shortly after childbirth. Even XZ was shackled by his identity until his death but freed by his long gone friends in rebirth. A fun fact; the actor that played FL or SL's dad, also played opposite ZLY in JOF as someone who was in love with her. And this was also their first collaboration since that show only they played father and daughter here. To have her father save her life through self sacrifice at the end was beyond touching; only time they got to meet each other face to face.

Other great characters were all of the generals, SMY, the maid, lady Jin, Luotian, QY, and eventually FRJ. Each played great roles in the overall story and the lives of our leads. The demon emperor had very few scenes in later episodes and he did ok as a villain; maybe if he played a bigger part in this story, he would have been considered as more but it was FS that offered main antagonist vibes during the entire show. Which being played by this actor who's known for comedic roles was quite a switch up though he was convincing.

Every inch of this show from costumes, CGI, OSTs (LYN's song and two of the BGM's were my absolute favorite), sets, were spot on. Nearly every episode had you rolling in laughter but it knew when to taper that off into seriousness or a bit of angst. I love this modern take on ancient costume drama; the one liners, innuendos, going against the grain, everything was well done and executed. You were invested in the leads and there were no misunderstandings, no annoying guerrilla glue third wheels that spoke in a prepubescent voice and pouted, no tropes, or unnecessary angst. Also no love triangles though SML or MF did love SL, she made it clear right away that no way and that was that. They still fought side by side until the betrayal and even then he was still willing to risk it all to save her. Only other couple were her parents short lived story and the best friend God who was going through trials on earth with the same two women every life cycle but even he was freed. It was so refreshing to see just one couple and the arc of their story as it revolves around times of peace, war, and so forth. Only two full rebirths no more and the ending was great though I wish they spent less time on Lady Jin and her love life and showing them two with her pregnancy and their friends and family in his mortal backyard as it was said in the book. But his proposal and her dropping the baby bombshell leaving him speechless and then chasing her around in the snow was still really awesome. Their love really was eternal.

Cons: I don't think I can call them cons here but more like slight inconsistencies. Like who was MF's mom? Did she even exist or was he born from fire like SL's dad? Or hatched from an egg? The demon emperor didn't have a body towards the end and because MF self sacrificed, his body couldn't be used for his father. But how did he ultimately disappear? Because after FL broke the seal and took off out of the abyss, we never saw him again. Was he in FL's body when he fought XZ and ultimately purified by XZ and SL? Wish that was shown better. And I didn't like the Heavenly Emperor; just as you think he got the point, he turns around and says or does something that makes you want to just send him into that abyss. Only in the second to last episode did he seem to be a bit wiser. Honestly that was it. No other cons.

Would I recommend it? 110% yes! Literally floored me from start to finish. I didn't skip a single thing. An absolute must watch if you want to laugh, giggle, cry a bit, and just enjoy yourself. One of the best dramas I've ever seen out of any country. Forever put into my watchlist.

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Friendships Formed through Intertwined Meow-Steries

I will be completely honest when I say I dropped this drama mid-episode 2 because of the really cheesy childish antics. But something told me to return to it and listening to my instincts and asking some people who kept watching, I did just that. And I'm very glad I did because this is one of those very few cdramas that actually got better with each episode especially after 5 or 6. So I'm very glad I trusted my instincts to finish watching. It was friendships formed through intertwined meow-stries. See what I did there? ;)

Pros: At first it seemed each of the cases were separate but as you continued to watch, you understood they were all connected to the original case and story from three years back and LB losing his father to some unknown organization of mask wearing assassins and being turned into a cat. The story revolves around him and his group of subordinates (SB, WQ, CB, and Alibaba) in the CJR with an extra kid (CS) who becomes LB's little brother of sorts plus QQZ who used to be LB's childhood best friend but due to a misunderstanding those 3 years ago that is only really resolved in the second to last episode they appear on opposite sides. In reality QQZ infiltrated the organization that's trying to gain immortality through murder and to overthrow the Empress. Favorite character is hard because the main gang is great plus QQZ who I wish appeared in more episodes so they could have properly fleshed out his and LB's friendship. CS knew of LB being a cat first (not counting QQZ of course though he didn't know or ask for that to be done) and it didn't bother him and then towards the end when the others found out about it, they still stood by him calling him a "Cat Hero", which was so awesome.

The old fart society, though they were the main villains, you also had YZH who though started out just as helpless as anyone was fed to some demon cat but got the upper hand and became a demon cat himself, morphed into a sociopathic loony that killed people, turned LB into a cat, caused the domino effect that got LB's father murdered, and ultimately killed QQZ just for a stupid game in his own mind. Same went for CS's brother CJ aka Black Rakhasa who was the actual murderer of LB's father as he was hired by the old fart society because though he cared for his brother, after being bullied in Shendu, instead of helping others, he chose to be a predator. LZS got karma not once but twice; got killed once, brought back by the old fart society, used until he no longer was needed and killed by them for his blood. Whoopsie; now thats seriously cold karma.

This show had many layers that you had to peel back like an onion to understand. People did come back to life but none were immortal save for YZH and LB; though LB gave the only antidote to YZH as a deal for his testimony at the old fart society's trial. QQZ wanted the antidote for LB and he essentially died for it. I did tear up because the way LB keened over QQZ as they finally made amends officially--though LB had long suspected that QQZ didn't really turn bad--just before he passed was only seen when he lost his father. When finding out just how much evidence QQZ had found out on his own even before LB's father was killed and his father knew QQZ had successfully infiltrated but didn't tell LB. Maybe if he did, then their misunderstanding wouldn't have happened upon his murder; LB was very smart even back then and he would have left him alone.

But in the end it was CS who saved LB and the gang; the kid that started out illiterate and very naive, brought the city folk together to save his best friends through the haunting final words of the now gone QQZ copied hundreds of times and distributed to the people of the city.

Wow, I feel like I've fallen back into the story. Let's move on. The costumes (save maybe the Walmart wigs and beards of the foreigners from Alibaba's country), OSTs, scenery, fight scenes were really great, plus appropriate comedy was all very nice and fit everything.

Cons: I wish we got to see the Empress's face as that was a huge mystery the entire show. As well as who Du Zixu was; he was an important figure in the story as a lot of it started with him but we never saw who his character was. I wish that they ended SGQ's story better as she was moved properly out of the story but don't just poof her. Also wish that the story didn't begin as shakily as it did then maybe I wouldn't have dropped it in the first place.

Though I know it was also in the source material, I really don't feel like QQZ should have died especially after his line of "I have also outlived my usefulness." That's not true. He was very important to LB, the veterans he worked so hard to exonerate, and now the gang of CJR too. I don't feel sorry for YZH at all; even though LB did towards the end. In a way he chose his own path in life. He knew the antidote was on that dagger, he could have taken it at any point but like BR, it was a lot easier to be a predator pretending he was a god than choose to be good.

Would I recommend it? I absolutely would. Just get passed the first several episodes that are a bit cheesy and all over the place. But the rest is very good and worth watching; it's got a little bit of everything comedy, mystery, action, case solving, clues, but most importantly friendship.

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Xing Fu, A One Woman Army

This was my first time watching an urban type of drama and I was watching it for ZLY. I wanted to see how she managed in this genre and she was very convincing. The woman is a wonderful actress and I don't think there's a genre out there she can't do. Didn't watch its parent story nor know the source material, so as usual based from a viewer's perspective only.

Pros: Every single character was played exceptionally well by their respective actors. Whether you were rooting for them or wanted them to go to prison, each character was complex in their own way. There was no perfect person, everyone had flaws even Xing Fu herself. She was by far the most favorite character. Followed closely by attorney Guan Tao who I know many felt had better chemistry with XF then her husband, the country bumpkin with no spine Qing Lai. I really hope ZLY and LJ get to do a series again together where they play husband and wife; their on screen support of one another was top notch. XF was the one woman army that got things done and she was a very memorable character for that.

I also loved Xi Yue; she had to go through so much stuff and yet progressed beyond and went towards her dreams. Other favorite characters were more on the sidelines, like the other lawyers at the firm with XF and GT, Qing Zhi and his girlfriend. Also old man Wan, though outdated to high hell, still evolved even at his age. All of the villagers that went from clueless to understanding when to fight for their principals.

Now while the Wang parents and Chuanjia, who were my least favorite not just because of the level of nepotism they were used to and how disgustingly they all acted, but I really feel that they all only had some sort of evolution in the last episode. I didn't like QL in the beginning because he was Mr. Nepotism but I do like the fact that they evolved him to be a pretty good supporter of his wife though it took something like 39 episodes to do.

Cons: Chuanjia is a very complex character not just because he's the main antagonist and really believable which I know makes you wonder why he's in the cons, but it's because of just how much he got away with before the very last episode that finally sent him off to prison. The writing I think is where things went south. With him and the other evildoers, instead of having just a few subplots to make the story move along it was like do something immoral, unethical, compensate a ton of money to make the problem go away; rinse, repeat.

The sheer amount of problems went beyond the norm; starting off with the first assault, stealing land, 2nd assault on QL, identity theft, well water pollution, etc. Breaking promises/coverups, spreading harmful rumors, bullying, it was nonstop. It could have been enough to fill many series instead of squeezing them into one and then waiting until episode 40 to rush around cleaning up 2 out of 35 messes. It's like the writer took every worst case scenario and just stuck them together in this.

The rushed ending was a copout, Chuanjia went to prison but XF was sending him books? Like what kind of punishment is that? So moral of the story is no matter how many people you harm or nearly kill (including kids) just say I'm sorry, give a million bucks, bow, and hey it's all hunky dory? Writing got very sloppy here. It shows that even in present times as episode 40 seemed to happen in 2019, justice is hard won and no one really has any actual regard for the law. That was a really big let down for me personally. I just wish they had incorporated the punishment fitting the crime more and more often.

Would I recommend it? Overall it was a decent drama and ZLY absolutely shone in it, so just for that I would. However, be prepared for justice to be served at the very end and not for everything plus very rushed and half-baked; if that doesn't bother you and you don't mind high blood pressure frequently, you'll enjoy this one lol.

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A Game of Tetris

Well, I got what I wanted; Jing was endgame and the demon went out like the MVP that he was. That said season 2 was all over the place and therefore this will be an analysis/review. I added A Nian to my favorite character list along with the two above. Due to the shoddy editing, I consider part 2 an essential game of Tetris. I'll start with the characters that stood out to me and how they changed (if at all since season one).

XY: Our red flag, anti-heroine definitely evolved from speaking to the mortal Tian'er in her way of thinking though it wasn't until episode 18 that the "abandonment" word was finally beaten out of her. Even when she spoke to the essence of her mother, she didn't get it until she realized it was her own mother. I did like how she allowed herself to understand that the whole thing with Jing was her fault too. That she stood by when she knew something was fishy with the whole child thing and did nothing; when she could have prevented a lot of misunderstandings and problems. Also glad the woman who swore she would never wait for anyone, not only posthumously married Jing but defied her obsessive brother when it came to him. But she got her happily ever after with the person right for her.

Jing: You are NOT the father. That was a phrase I had wanted to hear for a long time and it was satisfying; Maury Povich inside my head and everything. Jing evolved in his own manner; he wasn't a pushover anymore. He spoke his mind to her about his suspicions of the kid not being his and even later on, he didn't just stammer and disappear. He was gentle, kind, and not overbearing. He took credit for the good and not so good things he did without hesitation. And just like I thought and hoped, both the lifesaving pill and the demon brought him back to her. He fought hard to come back. He's her direct opposite and that's what she needed and wanted in a soulmate.

The demon: Lord almighty, I don't think I have ever met a larger masochist in any series, movie, show of any country. The lengths he went to save her; sacrificing 3 of his lives and erasing as much of her memory of him while he forever grieved, even in death. Only good thing was that he went out exactly as he wanted. Death was tragic but awesome. He really was the MVP. Had been anything less, it would have done irreparable damage to his character. As a novelist, I'm happy with it. But now because of that aquarium like pill inside that wooden doll, XY could take him with her on all of her adventures even if she didn't know it. I'm sure like others, I wish he or others told XY just how much he had actually done for her. Even at the very end, though she mourned his loss, she still misunderstood him. Also my favorite piece of music was his BGM in both seasons; just a female voice and I believe a guitar; simple and yet so deep. I also wish he sent Chubby to her and Jing as they traveled the world. They could take care of it and have a nice reminder of him. Poor Chubby didn't get an ending.

FL: Fleshed out more thankfully. He wasn't a bad guy at all, though morally grey like everyone else. I actually wish he didn't die, he was good to keep around but at least he did right by Jing and told CX the truth in the end. Though his death did bring some form of hope to his horrid sister Xingyue in changing her nasty ways (I actually thought "why does trash like his sister have to live but he can't?"). He was a good friend, general, cared about people and though a deity, he was probably one of the more human ones.

CX: He never got over his obsession of XY but at least we never saw him go batshit crazy. I never liked his character as a person though he was a good emperor. The fact that him "killing" Jing was actually an illusion created by his grandfather to get to the bottom of the truth was horribly done. It was like we knew why we had to hate him and then snap, it's not true? Like how's the audience supposed to feel for him afterwards? Then make that nightmare Xingyue be the real culprit but he's partially to blame because of the way he treated her too. So it's this never-ending whirlpool. Plus the forced "look he's evolved into someone sort of good" up through the end where the main couple don't even get the last scenes but are given to him and A Nian back in that village? It would have been better if it was XY and Jing wondering around the village reminiscing together. Still he had to unburden himself of his feelings in the last episode finally to her right before she got married; selfish much? Because it would've changed anything? Why are we supposed to feel sorry for him? I don't! I'm confused with this obsessed fool. Which again says something about the actor and character portrayal done very well.

A Nian: Literally my favorite female in the entire show and the absolutely most evolved character bar none. I was so proud of her. I hope if CX decides to have kids, it's only with her. She's the only real rightful queen and one that deserves to birth an heir.

I'd have to say that the editing made someone like me who has never read the novel stay in a perpetual state of confusion. Furthermore, each episode ended in some haphazard manner like in the middle of a conversation or fight. I had to constantly ask what was happening and why from friends who had read the novel or the leaked script. Part 2 in post production had to be done by a different team. Other than editing, what was up with FL's poison death veins, they were obviously not under his skin and looked like plaster or marker you could just peel or wash off. It was laughable in that agonizing scene. Same went for Jing's injuries in the water. This season looked a lot cheaper in other aspects too. I felt that the producers and editors smoked something very heavy.

Would I recommend it? Only if you watched season one and need to watch this to finish things off. The characters did evolve but some were forced on audience regarding that while others actually did so organically. Most actors did a good job.

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An Interwoven Tragic Tale with Majestic Scenery

I think this is the first drama ever where what first attracted me was the gorgeous scenery. I knew both leads could hold their own in a wuxia and I was prepared for an SE; which was done so skillfully and artfully. This was an interwoven tragic tale with a majestic backdrop.

Pros: Wherever they filmed other than Hengdian was absolutely stunning. I'm a photographer by hobby and though not a fan of the cold, that scenery was too beautiful to resist honestly. First time probably ever that that was the thing I spoke of when starting off a review. Also I wanted to point out how well they wrote and created the SE and not just for the leads but other characters as well. The near constant tragedies like of siblings reuniting after unknowingly living in the same location and hating one another for over 20 years only for one to be killed minutes later. Or of an entire family to be slaughtered just because a son in law said the wrong things at the wrong time and it was found out only years later. Our leads love story was more spiritual than obvious; it was never spoken but their bond was almost telepathic as each time HZB would be near death, something would fall over near XZY or the wind would blow harder.

Even if the prescription was fake, it saved 3 lives for at least 8 years and everyone was in some way, shape, or form intertwined; be it through blood or other ties and at the end though the closeness of the miss of ML and FL was almost painful, we knew it had to happen. Doctrine leader was by far one of the most sadistic antagonists I've seen in a while, killing whole communities and destroying, framing people just to steal gifted kids who then were raised to be as savage as beasts while unable to get away from him in a Stockholm Syndrome type of manner especially for MF/YM; as he himself said "unknowingly, I took the enemy as my father and ignored my sister's suffering." Only when MS revealed the truth did he truly understand what a monster he protected. Losing his sister seconds later and then ZY was almost more than he could take. After knowing all or most of their stories, you could forgive 3 of the assassins creed people because they were harmed, used, lied to almost their entire lives. As ZY said, "the only one to blame is the player" or the one who uses others as swords for his own monstrous deeds.

ZY was truly a hero here; even though it took the three of them to take the nearly immortal doctrine leader down; she had her cold disease, plus the king of all poisons already in her system from saving her brother and yet she still repeatedly fought until that thing was dead.

Other great characters included all of the brothers of the sect except 6th brother, MJ/Tong, the valley girls and granny, the other valley chief and the MVPs being the snow harrier and horse of HZB lol. The utter emotions of everyone especially HZB at the end when he realized ZY was dead was heartbreaking but powerful. Joseph did very well in all of his scenes; from the great fight ones to the total emotional breakdown at the end. The story itself was a bit repetitive (find medicine, fight, nearly die, get healed, repeat) but it was meant to bring their subtle but strong love story to life. Also the subtlety of them not being meant to be together in several scenes like missing the northern lights by seconds or the breaking of the hairpin in the snow, these were such great touches. As well as at the end HZB sharing the wine meant for the two of them with MJ and YM as they honored her in their own ways before her tomb; HZB being the lover calling her "Ziye", MJ the brother saying "sister Ye" and YM she being his redemption "Chief Xue." I'm actually totally ok with YM becoming the new chief of the valley instead of SH because it's something he can do well plus he's got an internal power he can use.

The ending was also done very artfully with HZB as an old man coming to ZY's tomb every year and drinking with her while the rest of time he's bringing justice to the world. MJ becoming a monk and YM the new chief was the hope for the story. Though with great loses and lifetime parting, the sun still rises and we must keep our loved one's memories alive through good deeds; I think that's what the story was trying to convey overall.

OSTs, costumes, were all pretty awesome.

Cons: I know that there wouldn't have been an original story if the Junior sister hadn't essentially created the problem by breast feeding her son when he was in isolation and specifically off limits. It's like going into a hospital room when you've been told by the doctor that it's life threatening and doing something irreversible. I wish there had been another way to go about that because she never really acknowledged that what set all of these things in motion was her own negligence. She said it once and it was never brought up again. Meanwhile, HZB is out there risking his life for them. I don't blame ZY for the fake prescription as she really didn't know one way or the other because it gave them all 8 years of extra life and experience.

Also the 6th brother was very much like his wife; arrogant and selfish. He volunteered to go undercover but that only added to his jealousy. That storyline was very weak. And I think it was the weakest arc of the entire thing plus the ending because you have 7 brothers racing to eliminate the threat while it's pretty much already been eliminated by ZY, YM, and MS. They don't know this and as Tong said, 6th brother should thank Sword Sect for giving him a few more hours to live because had Tong not known 6th brother had betrayed them and he was planning on trapping them, he would have killed him before. And of course this was also done to let the leads miss each other one final time. I think I would have just done it a bit smoother without such a burgeoning arc and let down.

Plus the Snow Harrier, couldn't locate either people that he was so good at doing for receiving messages so that was inconsistent. I also wish we knew at the end how much time had passed between HZB saying he didn't want to be chief to returning to the valley and drinking the wine because though he was wearing the same outfit; YM was already chief of the valley with vast medical skills which he couldn't have acquired in less than a year. So that was a plot hole. A few others were obviously deleted scenes where HZB found medicine and than was returning with it but we never saw what happened in between.

Would I recommend it? Yes, I would very much. Even if you don't like SE's, they're the most memorable if done right. The acting, storytelling, and again scenery is very worth it.

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Strong Start that Petered Out in the Middle But Came Swinging for the Fences at the End

Wanted something cybercrime-CSI-ish and this seemed to fit the bill. Didn't know anyone in the cast save for actor who played ZY and Xu Lu a bit from previous series. Had a strong beginning that petered out in the middle only to come out swinging for the fences in the final 3 episodes. Definitely needs a season 2 with the same cast to properly finish the cliffhanger.

Pros: Probably the first drama ever that I will say had a really catchy opening theme that I didn't fast forward before I get into favorite character and other things. It made you actually anticipate what you were going to watch even when that failed to deliver. Favorite character was the ML or QH; man had the patience of a saint and his straight path towards justice and finding out who wronged his best friend and Godmother were beyond admirable. Next favorite character was Ms. Lin the lawyer; even though she didn't know until pretty much the end that her boyfriend was a class A douchebag, she never changed her morality or ethics towards her partners or friends.

Though I liked CM in the very beginning and once he got on board with QH, his whole arc with MT was very unnecessary. The two ladies who worked in QH's office were alright additions and out of the villains, the only ones that made any real sense were MPC and LB, though the latter needs season 2 to figure out. Had some semblance of comedy here and there and meaningful moments of care between the protagonists.

Cons: This plot took a nosedive in the middle and became very boring and confusing. The MT/CM arc (shoving a relationship into somewhere it didn't belong) just like the MT/General arc were unnecessary and very confusing. We assume it was the General who scammed Godmother in the beginning though there's no real confirmation or admission of that. ZY also an alright character; great in the beginning but then was dumbed down into an arrogant and dumb kid who spilled personal information to complete strangers online. None of it made any sense given the industry he worked in and the responsibility placed on his shoulders. He regrew his brains towards the end.

For seasoned hackers, they couldn't pick up on pretty obvious things and it just slowed the entire show down. When they "killed" the General off, he should have stayed dead. Bringing him back just to give the running of the bulls ending some semblance of action after a lackadaisical middle that was constantly seeing QH getting nailed by one villain after another by pretty much brain dead problems, was honestly laughable. Instead, in the last episode the General nearly beats QH and CM to death and then is just nonchalantly arrested. And still the LB plot was not exposed so the reasoning is that there will be a season 2? Writer and director must have gotten drunk together.

Would I recommend it? I'm not sure to be honest. TJC did a great job as QH, so much so that I want to see him in other, better things. So if you're a fan of his, maybe you'll like this too. The beginning and end were the strongest even with the open-ended cliffhanger finale, the middle could have been totally cut and you probably wouldn't have missed much. So decide for yourselves.

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Enemies, Lies, Amnesia Bring Forth A Formidable Power Couple with Great Tacit Fighting Skills

This went into my Watchlist because of ZWY; after seeing him in LYF, I was wondering if he could be versatile. I was pleasantly surprised here. I know WCR from various other series and this was such a great character for her as well. I knew some of the other CP's and supporting characters from other shows. But though according to novel readers, it deviated significantly from the novel, I still found it a good watch. It had a little bit of everything; enemies, lies, amnesia, fake identities, palace intrigue, that ultimately brought forth a formidable power couple with nearly psychic tacit understanding and fighting skills.

Pros: I gotta say, that fight sequence in episode 40 with the leads in the jail against the antagonist's goons was my favorite part in the whole show. It showed that both flowed as one unit, uniting and parting; almost dancing together as they annihilated the enemy. The show originally stemmed from CXZ finding LMT who he thought was the leader enemy's concubine but in reality she was the actual leader of the enemy. But because after suffering a betrayal and severe injuries that left her with amnesia of her past 3 years of life, ML decided to use her as bait to draw out the rest of the enemy. This first arc, though it seemed to have gone on for far too long, was the calm before the storm and comedic at times. It made CXZ essentially and for real fall in love with her but each time he wanted to tell her the truth something got in the way. When her memories did return she of course was angry and betrayed and took it out on him. Though what he did wasn't right, who she really was and did before all that was worse so it made them even.

The other characters to love though all were flawed in their own way were ZY (who had a yen for LMT) but he was a morally grey protagonist. His story with the empress was absolutely the best and I think by the end it was clear he had feelings for her and let go of the past aka LMT like the empress told him to do which was beneficial for him. I loved how she finally stood up to her bullying family and greedy father who was also put in place by the emperor. Just those two couples, would have been enough. The third couple I'll mention below, though I liked ZQ on his own because he provided comedic relief and he didn't need to be part of a couple. Also Li Mama, Moru, the two maids, the shadow guard leader and the rest of them, were the best little family. CXZ's brother in the wheelchair was a great support system (and I'm glad that they didn't make him into the evil guy like in the book), mom needed to endure hardship to open her eyes to the real world and truth about those around her. But she too was a kind soul. Grand Empress Dowager was also a big plus especially towards the end. As were LMT's family like grandpa, uncle, and others. Also the CXZ's main guard and everyone who supported LMT as the "madam" of the house.

We knew who the ultimate antagonist was and it was just about getting rid of him that took the time because he had a lot of backers and corrupt officials under him but he was a believable villain throughout. The wedding was fun but too short in my opinion given how long the previous arc was. Should have been grander. Costumes, locations, and OSTs were all very good.

Cons: This series had the fastest palace coup in history; literally a black screen with words saying it happened and a new ruler aka ZY (heir to the throne as the late crown prince was his father) had taken the throne. This was one of several whiplashes I got from this show. The 2nd couple was probably one of the most unnecessary in any series; they had zilch chemistry and it seemed like they were forced together. Furthermore, the actress was miscast because she always plays highly intelligent, kind, and gentle roles but is never a pushover. Here she barely spoke up, created misunderstandings from her own incorrect deductions, pouted a lot, always had a long face and was too pompous for her own good though she was insecure as hell. I fast forwarded her as much as I could. They even stuck that CP randomly at the end of the series even though the way it was done stuck out like a sore thumb because after this massive event at the palace, without warning it cut to a scene of them in the woods digging for special soil and they announce wedding plans; another whiplash. They should have closed them out before that whole capital thing ever took place. Totally lacking in cohesion.

Next was probably the draggiest portion of the entire series where LMT was holding on to her grudge for way too long while CXZ did everything in his power to win her back. That arc took forever and everyone was exasperated by it because LMT though supposedly "softened" still treated him in a very harsh and cold way that had many of us cringing. Like get over it already! He has told you on multiple occasions that he sees you as his equal and will only marry you in this lifetime; what more do you need? She only panicked when her grandfather committed a faux pas and declined the engagement on her behalf. Once it was ironed out and they signed the wedding certificate she went from an ice cube to melted butter in five minutes and again it was incohesive. These transitions need to be smoother not whiplashing the audience around. It honestly made her look like she had multiple personalities while CXZ was being turned into a simp as he even got himself hurt for her to break off a stupid engagement (x2 in this series). I have no qualms about the actors themselves as they acted their hearts out but this is where novel material comes in real handy and screenwriters need to have their heads examined.

Two of the most unnecessary characters were the old bat aunt and cousin that was originally meant to marry CXZ. Only good thing about that old bat was that she finally made the Consort Dowager open her eyes to reality and stand up for her son and daughter in law. That was a very well deserved slap. Otherwise, they were a waste of space and time. The obsessed with ZY daughter of the villain, I couldn't stand but in the end her own obsession was their downfall so kudos to her for being that blind and dumb as a brick!

Would I recommend it? Yes; the cons notwithstanding, the acting was awesome, comedy just right, real love and connections as well as the amazing tacit understanding of the leads. That ending fight was one of the best choreographed in a drama that's not a Wuxia, I've seen. There it is!

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An Academy Award deserving series!

This is the 4th Chinese drama that I’ve watched but it is by far the best. The professionalism and chemistry of all of the actors is hard to beat. Coming from the US, being a writer of fiction myself, I love the amazing character development. The directors and producers absolutely did a fantastic job with casting. I’m one of the few fans out there that do not view WYB and XZ or their characters as a couple though I understand that’s what the novel said. Instead, theirs is a brotherhood and bond rarely seen nowadays and brings memories of the 1940s and comrades in war (and I mean that for both the actors and their characters). The younger generations today aren’t used to this. I do wish there was better continuation within the series as many scenes were a bit out of whack. Thank you for a wonderful series Tencent that I can’t stop rewatching since mid-December! This series deserves an Oscar because it rivals many shows on TV from many countries especially here in the US. I can’t wait for Oath of Love, Legend of Fei, Doulou Continent, and every other production these young and talented young men will do. A million times thank you!

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Will the REAL Hero Please Stand Up!

This was the first real wuxia drama (not a romance) I have ever seen and I've always been very interested in what a traditional wuxia would be like. Because every drama is marketed as one but really isn't. Other than that, I was watching primarily for Liu Yu Ning and secondarily for Meng Zi Yi as they're two people that I follow. I also knew of Joseph Zeng from previous works. As I'm not a novel reader, I can only review from a viewer's prospective.

Pros: My favorite character was Su Meng Zhen, followed closely by DFJ because both were complex albeit totally different characters. One was righteous from the moment he appeared on screen to the last breath he took while the other was very morally grey but fiercely loyal to his loved ones and went out like a champ on his own terms. I loved the brotherhood when it was formed and all those at Sunset House that surrounded them. Just about every character was complex and evolved in their own way; some took longer then others.

The story was more dark though they definitely had their happy moments. The fight scenes that were shown were pretty good though I wish there were more of them. Another fantastic point that many dramas fail to do is gradually introduce characters so the audience can understand what their purpose is. More often then not, characters are thrown in and no one remembers their names or why they're there, but here it was a very nice and even keeled introduction of each.

LC played by MZY was done fantastically; she went from sheltered flower to losing just about everything and everyone she had ever known overnight. She had to grow up fast and figure out how to survive without losing every part of her soul. She never gave up on SMZ until the end and left with him in a sense. Their love was just that strong. XY was another terrific female character; the woman wore many faces but she had a strong iron will and loyalty. Plus a much more realistic connection/chemistry with the ML than the FL. Other favorite characters were SMZ's advisor Wu Xie and other members of Sunset House, WXS' Master, the guys from the North like Big Beard, official Liu, and Martial Uncle Zhang.

The lead of the drama was a younger version of SMZ but it took him a while to grow into his own. Still, WXS did end up being one of the heroes of the series as the writers wanted him to be. For me, personally though, though he was a hero he wasn't THE hero, that title would have to go to both SMZ and DFJ as together they made the perfect hero. But that's just my personal opinion.

Now, to the man for whom I was watching this series; BCF was a great character in the beginning. He never hid his ambitions nor his true intentions. The problem was that everyone around him chose to ignore them or thought they could change him. When he whiplashed into a complete maniacal nutcase (that I'll talk about below), LYN was still very convincing as one so I cannot stick him into the cons, though I do wish it was done totally differently.

I really loved the OSTs, they were incredibly powerful especially the hard rock one and the one sung by LYN and Joseph. Costumes, sets, all of that was very detailed and beautiful. The ending was a complete surprise from what I had expected and for once I actually didn't look at spoilers before watching. But even though it wasn't a blood bath or a copout like many different sides theorized, I actually do like the way it ended; I'm glad every evildoer got their comeuppance even though some took it upon themselves to finish the job. But the flashback to all characters come and gone as the group of travelers ride through mountains and waterways was a very nice touch to the end. And even the person coming to run Sunset House, made the right kind of sense.

Cons: Let's start by saying that hair department was smoking something heavy because most of the leads and some of the support ended up looking like animal control K9s; it was a hot mess and looked absolutely horrible. Truly wish they had just kept things typical costume drama simple and didn't need to over complicate things with some avant-garde Westminster applicant do. If they wanted to show that a character had matured or changed, a simple edition of an extra braid down the back or something like that would have sufficed. It just made the person look comical and it threw the entire look off.

Whatever the hair department was smoking rubbed off on the screenwriter because she turned a great potential villain into a nut job. Now while LYN did a great job playing the nut job, he could have just as well been given an actual villain to play. That's why I solely blame the screenwriter for this unmitigated debacle that took the majority of the score away from this drama. Furthermore, instead of gradually developing him, the switch was flipped and he just lost all of his humanity. There was no rhyme or reason for how or why it happened so quickly and this was done within the last 8-10 episodes; the excuse was flimsy and didn't hold much water. Afterwards, when he was on screen be it for his bizarre as hell wedding or killing innocent people out of spite while he would cackle maniacally (that evil cackle belongs only in witches in Halloween shops, not dramas), felt like a completely different series. How can an antagonist with so much potential be so epically screwed up?

If that wasn't bad enough, we had an FL that spent more than half of the series pouting, crying, whining like a self-entitled spoiled brat. Most of her scenes up until the time she and WXS got married I had to ffw. I questioned the necessity of even having her in the series because it was about a sworn brotherhood after all. Every other woman was there as needed and powerful and this character was almost like an afterthought. Even when she was helping save WXS' life, it was like if she just kept quiet, things were a zillion times better. If she wasn't in the scene or episode, she wasn't missed in the slightest. Even in the last episode when SMZ got his wish and died, everyone was crying and it was such a raw, powerful moment and yet as soon as she opened her mouth to pitifully cry, it made one cringe because it sounded like one of those windup old dolls. Why couldn't she just cry silently like XY was doing? WXS was howling with grief as was Wu Xie and they deserved to do so. By letting us hear that baby-cry in such an overwhelming moment was a real shame.

Slimy playboy dude was a real psychopathic villain; the trouble with him was that he spent too much time talking and bragging though his depravity was evident until his dying breath just like Hannibal Lecter and his brother. It was also obvious that he was the rapist from the moment it happened. I stick him in the cons because though he ended up being the most disgusting villain that everyone hated, he still didn't have enough proper screen time to showcase who he was. It was like he had multiple personality disorder but even he didn't understand it. Also really wish the battle between him and DFJ was shown. That was a real miss by production. I understand their whole thing was to make WXS be the "hero" to kill slimy playboy dude in order to get the paper, but the majority of the damage done to him was by DFJ and we, as the audience, deserved to see it. A lot of fight scenes were either copouts or just not shown. I'm going to guess that it's because production didn't have a large budget but they could have definitely figured out a way around that since this was a wuxia after all.

Would I recommend it? For novel readers, probably not because there's a heavy diversion and not a lot of cohesion between the two. But for people who like wuxias, have never seen one, like a story of brotherhood that goes wrong, I would. This was my most anticipated drama of the year and though it had a lot of pitfalls and massive shortcomings, I still enjoyed it very much and therefore have no regrets.

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A Little Bit of Everything on a Robust Menu

This drama didn't look like much from the get go; in fact they wrapped filming this year so was very surprised when it popped out. I was only watching because BJT is one of the people I follow and wanted to see how he fared in a costume drama. He definitely delivered the goods and so did the rest of the cast. This drama had literally a little bit of everything on a robust menu.

Pros: First time I saw BJT was in YAMH last year so I knew he could play fierce and comical characters; I wasn't sure if he could handle a costume drama where some mild fighting was needed. He very pleasantly surprised me though and his character YZ was my favorite. The facial expressions, in between lips talking, loyalty, drunk kissing etc made his character really stand out amongst the plethora of princes.

This is the second costume drama I've seen this year that very heavily focused on sisterhood and made even the most annoying female evolve into someone likable. The outstanding bonds that were grown between all of the women thanks primarily to the FL's ingenuity and grace, was quite beautiful to see. There was very little pettiness and infighting which is so common when there are multiple women involved in these dramas, that it made it very much like a breath of fresh air as there were a lot of women in this one. Same went with the men; though they divided themselves into two factions of good vs evil, the brotherhood of good was full of kind and talented men.

The comedy was the best part of the series. You were constantly laughing at the antics of literally everyone. The 3 antagonists were all handled appropriately and when the time came though at the beginning it did feel like the 2nd Prince got away with murder while YZ was either ignored or punished. What I liked was that every single character except him evolved during the duration of this series. Even the Emperor understood when he was wrong (though it took a bit of time) and grew to make his kingdom the most modern. Not a single character was without flaws and that made them even more realistic. But there were almost no cliches or tropes and misunderstandings were cleared up very quickly and in a smart manner where each character grew from their mistakes even the 2 last antagonists where it didn't feel like a redemption arc but actual evolution. The romance was subtle until the end and it made the right kind of sense for the leads.

The costumes, scenery, sets, OSTs were all stunning and fit what was needed. It was very obvious that this production team was in the upper tiers and knew what they were doing.

Cons: You'd think with so much positivity how could this drama not get a perfect score but it did have a few cons though they were minor. What I wish they didn't do was focus on the side couples so much, for starters. There were episodes in the beginning and middle that barely had the leads have onscreen time or together. One of the strangest was Song Wu, who I legit fast forwarded in the beginning because she was a spoiled annoying brat, but the way she got with her husband was way too fast. Here you had an entire show filled with princes and their wives slowly getting to know each other and deciding whether to stay together or not and she meets him in the street one day because they share a name and she's magically in love and so is he and after just two more episodes of them barely seeing each other, they're ready to get hitched. It just didn't fit the speed of the rest of the drama. Her evolution was the fastest out of the entire cast and also could have been slowed accordingly. It was like they spent so much time on the other side couples, they had no time left for her.

With all the talk and addition of food, this show needed a new title at first. In the beginning it was very annoying that the FL spent most of her time talking, working on, doing things with food. Like it didn't seem that there was more to her but thankfully as more palace intrigue took over, all of that was tapered and moderated. For many episodes, she was the human talking menu and it got old quick. Was very glad the character of Yuan Ying was brought in when she was because she was the perfect addition to the household and leveling that portion out. That's it. No more cons.

Would I recommend it? Do you even have to ask lol! 100% would. It's a feel good drama bringing comedy and modern thinking into ancient times. So if you want to laugh a lot, love great sisterhoods, brotherhoods, and strong family bonds (be they immediate or cultivated), this is the show for you!

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Dream A 40 Year Dream

Only watched this for Xiao Zhan as I'm not a fan of heavy propaganda dramas usually from any country. I also have seen both LQ and LRL in other dramas and knew they were good actors and could handle pretty much any role. When I do these reviews, it's always from not just an audience member standpoint, but also as a writer/author. So I am impartial to everyone and everything. I don't like the new title of the drama so to me it's always been "Where Dreams Began" and here XZ aka XCS dreamed a 40 year dream.

Pros: This series had a great flowing storyline where you didn't have any filler feeling episodes except for maybe the final 2. Favorite characters were tied with the leads; XCS and TXM or LQ. But at the same time they were also in the cons which I'll explain below. XCS was a man who unwaveringly followed his ideals even when more experienced in life people told him that his ideals would make him lose and regret those who felt inferior to him. After he overcame his physical disability post war, he was even stronger mentally. TXM was the epitome of quiet strength. She was his rock, his anchor even when they weren't yet together, before he realized any of it. Women like her are incredibly inspirational. Not only did she push him but herself.

Many people didn't like YGH and HHL due to their selfishness and cowardice but I did because they were the two morally gray ones in this story. Characters can't just be black or white, they need layers, to be able to evolve in whichever direction. We wouldn't necessarily want them in our lives but as characters on the screen, they were fascinating. The rest of the crew of QT, YQ, YF, DL, Amao, the other guy whose name I don't recall, plus certain parents, uncle Dong were all very awesome characters and all of the actors whether I found their characters necessary or should have left sooner, did a superb job. CHJ was actually the best antagonist out of the batch because you saw his corruption over time as opposed to Heizi, who though I liked as a greedy, money hungry character was too repetitive in his crimes and just came off as downright stupid.

Sets, costumes, OSTs, accents all of that was appropriate for whichever time period you were in.

Cons: Though they were trying to portray the 70s and onward over there as best as they could, much was unrealistic. Though I loved both XCS and TXM, as someone else mentioned in the comments, these characters don't exist in real life. They are too perfect in their ideology and no one on earth is flawless. They came off as their own versions of Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Trying to portray that in a slice of life type of story, essentially takes away from that slice of life. LSY was just there for too long and got away with too much. The actor did well but to have him constantly let go or wriggle out of the law while other people like QT who did legal work lost everything wasn't fair. It made the law look useless especially in such a high propaganda filled series. Those two just didn't jive. The constant nepotism became nauseating.

I will speak about the propaganda; I knew what I was going to watch but what--as someone who was also born in a socialist/communist country which no longer exists so I actually know what I'm talking about--kept throwing me off and having the scenes take a hit, was not that it was used but WHERE. In all of the military, government related and whatnot scenes, totally understandable. But when the characters are just having fun together shooting the breeze or being romantic with their significant others and the speechifying starts, it is eye roll worthy because literally no one did that ever in any country. When there are family gatherings or two neighbors meet up or something everyday, propaganda speeches do not happen. You'd sooner ask about a child's health or if they went to the movies, so that's where it was way too much.

The fact that there were multiple time jumps and we never knew where we were. It could be anywhere from a few months to a few years. One viewer had to research and write out a timeline in the comments. People shouldn't have to do that when watching a series; a small note on the screen would have sufficed. The SARS epidemic in the final two episodes was also unnecessary. They could've wrapped it all up nicely around the CNY episodes because otherwise it felt like this plot was just chucked in there last minute and was quite rushed.

Would I recommend it? If you are a fan of any of the actors and like a nice flowing storyline until that end. I think all of the actors did a superb job; very pleased with that.

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It Keeps You Guessing Until the End.

(Last reviewed drama of 2025) 2nd modern drama of LYX and first good one; (the other wasn't good due to a miscast FL, no chemistry and dragged the show down). Other than a few of the support cast, I didn't know anyone else but this was a nice little Easter egg they snuck in at the end of the year as it kept everyone guessing.

Pros: I liked the first 5 cases and how original they were especially the Chimera spider case. For those who don't know, a chimera is a person who is born with both sets of chromosomes and sometimes both sets of organs (so like male lower parts and female upper parts can happen); it's a rare genetic mutation in humans and I myself didn't even know about it until maybe like 20 years ago from a CSI episode. But each case was tied back to the big main drug case involving the ML or QSZ who was a forensics examiner, his murdered girlfriend, and the SML or HF who was the aforementioned girlfriend's adopted brother who was a cop and in narcotics at the time thinking they solved the case when QSZ kept telling him they closed the case too quickly and it was not over; as they had transferred to the same location. At first personally they were very much at odds as the FL or ZQY and the last part of the so-called iron triangle said it to their police chief boss, there was a wall between them unless they were on the job. As more cases and strange homicides happened and the same drug and pill bottle with the same symbol kept popping up; HF, the chief and everyone other then QSZ had to agree that this was more then each case on its own. Witnesses that knew anything and still walking around were silenced by a murderer, part of the gang.

Poor QSZ had all of his friends from the college lab and even his teacher (3 people total) part of this thing. Two were killed, and the teacher who was as the ultimate monster and only caught in the end but thought of himself as sort of a miracle worker that didn't have to face reality (dude shirked responsibility and was completely delusional to the completely monstrous things he did) until his addicted wife was murdered. And even then he had the victim mentality of "why are you punishing me?"; it was really sickening to watch him until QSZ brought him back to reality in a savior type of way. He was responsible for many deaths including QSZ's girlfriend. But at the end of the day, QSZ still had HF and the rest of the squad subtract one they lost to the enforcer and another drug dealer. The entire squad of people were great and each case was unique where you couldn't put your finger on who the murderer was because there would always be some sort of twist. Its opening theme moving artwork was cool along with the OSTs. Also found it very funny that until the last episode, there was virtually no propaganda in this entire show, even though it had to do with the police and forensics and something you would usually see a little bit more of.

Cons: I felt taking FL out of the last 2.5 episodes and not even show her face when she did return to duty after her coma other than HF smiling was a total copout. I understand there was some conflict with the actress's schedule but they could have filmed it at another time. It was just strange the way they ended it. The main last case wasn't as exciting as the others as we all kind of figured out who the mastermind was. It was very anticlimactic. Or putting the tracking device on QSZ where they did; too obvious as well as using HF as the undercover again considering he'd already done that and would most likely than not be recognized; foolish things though obvious to help out QSZ who could mouth that their were bombs under the tables and HF would understand him. Another thing were the words on the screen of the last episode that one had to screenshot to translate about fake characters getting certain prison sentences, and what each one entailed. This is a story of fiction, no one needs all of that. Also basic principles weren't researched by production like meth itself was a manufactured drug and therefore couldn't be used as a raw material for other drugs. A bit sloppy on that and a few other things here and there but nothing major.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely would; for all the crime sleuths out there it's a great little something and only 21 episodes long. So ahead and enjoy!

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True Blue Wuxia; Our 3 Musketeers Triumphed at the End.

This is my favorite genre, so it ended up on my watchlist as soon as I found out that's what it was going to be about. I really wanted to see how the three leads would be able to pull something like this off. No romance at all, so please move on to something else if that's what you're looking for. I didn't know that this whole thing was a franchise and that there were quite a few actors prior to YY that played the same character and that this show was popular back in the early 90s.

Pros: I have to give YY serious props for those fight scenes. They were absolutely incredible and so intricate. When you see the way the director and the choreographer showed him every single one and how he tried to do each scene in one take because some of these scenes required many other actors or goons, and it had to look good. I would have to say that the fight scenes were my absolute favorite. The storyline flowed very well and at first, I also didn't understand why the male lead or ZZ didn't kill and then someone explained who knew the entire franchise and the history of Judge Bao (who sadly didn't make an appearance in this one); I will actually add in here what she wrote about the whole subject to maybe make other people who read this review understand as well. But I will credit her because she explained it so very well.

As written by @JieJie:

It all comes down to Judge Bao’s Philosophy.

Zhan Zhao isn't just another lawless rogue wandering the jianghu. He is a 4th-rank imperial guard who serves under Bao Zheng—the most famously incorruptible, legally strict judge in Chinese lore.
* The Rule of Law vs. Vigilante Justice: Judge Bao’s entire mission is built on the belief that no one is above the law, and justice must be absolute and decided by a court, not the blade of a sword.
* Upholding the Code: If Zhan Zhao plays executioner in the middle of a forest or a rain-slicked alley, he becomes no better than the criminals he's trying to stop. He strips away the chance for a fair trial, which is exactly how you uncover the larger, deeper conspiracies.
* True Chivalry (Xia): His restraint isn't a sign of weakness; it's the ultimate show of control and discipline. He possesses peerless martial arts skills, but he chooses to apprehend or disarm rather than slaughter because he answers to a higher moral standard.

Once I understood all that, it became even more interesting to me like the storyline made more sense; why he would just break arms and legs, and what not and leave the person alive because he ultimately wanted to bring the big wolf to testify against who was the largest villain or Prince XY as I called him. There were four underlings or 3 1/2 really including his own illegitimate son and we had to strip away, who each one was and their code names. Not once did the storyline drag for me. He killed one time and one time only and that was to trigger the mechanism at the very end to kill Prince XY. The prince basically mocked ZZ about him getting caught and being jailed for just a little while because no one can kill a royal uncle. His exact words were "no blade in the world could kill a royal uncle" and ZZ agreed that no blade in the world could, but that he was willing to be that blade because of all the innocent lives that were taken, and there were just so many during the show and even before the 15-20 years he was an operation for his rebellion how many people he killed or had killed. And the prince was all like well, you have to respect me this, that, the next thing and ZZ before he swiped the candle said "I respect justice." That explained literally his mindset during the entire show. The idiot Prince had his entire fortress booby-trapped, that even the slightest wave in front of a candle and a leaf set off an arrow straight into his heart. That was instant karma for him if I ever saw anything. Also, DJ's karma how ZZ told him that he had sacrificed so many innocent lives for his own ambitions but how would he feel if he was told or asked to do the same? Cut to a few episodes later and Prince XY does exactly that with him just before his old guard really does kill him. I love how we slowly got the backstory of all the characters that were important even ML had his existential crisis moments before he saved MZE. I'm guessing he met JB after that and really honed his skills in justice. Losing that kid was very sad. I think it broke something in him a little bit; he was willing to do anything, including take the blame for setting fire to the kids families's house, killing everyone just to save the kid from regaining his repressed memory that he himself accidentally did that, but in the end, the memory still came back.

Another thing that made me very happy was that the show had no romance. It might've reflected on the ratings here not that I cared, but this genre when it's just the genre is perfect. It should be focused on a storyline and the incredible fight scenes, which is exactly what it was focused on. Some people were not happy because there weren't instant results but that wasn't the point. The point was to really get into the storyline, the point was to see the characters as all having flaws and things never being what they seem or that simple. I love the friendship between as I called them; the three amigos or the Three Musketeers; they always fought together, they always had each other's backs, they never let the other just hang, and they would do anything for each other. They were their own version of the iron triangle. Even though ZZ did spend most of the series either injured or poisoned as BYT pointed out in the post credit scene; neither BYT or the kid from the Tang clan ever gave up, trying to find a cure for him and finally they did. That post credit scene was just hysterical. I first watched it with Janky subs than good ones, but you could still tell BYT with his leg all bandaged up, looking really screwed up but the rest of him he either was wearing bandages under his clothes to show that he was really tough and he could handle all those arrows that hit him and then you have ZZ who's only wearing an arm sling but in reality has cuts and gashes all over his body also acting so tough and the two of them talking about just having dinner with the emperor and ZZ agreeing to another job and obviously BYT is going to be dragged along and possibly HLL as well, even though he's all bitching and complaining that he's not going and then them to pretending to do another fight, even though BYT passes out after the third glass of alcohol. And it ends with ZZ holding the badge from the emperor saying I want to, but I can't. I'm too tired. And I agree with him. He's just spent all of this time running around hunting this case, being poisoned and injured and he needs to rest before he takes the next case and I hope he really does that. And it really makes me hope for a season two; them going to Western Xia for the emperor. Costumes, sets, OST use all of that was great and it fit every single portion.

Cons: I think the only real issue started to happen at the very end, but I attribute that due to the three cut episodes during review. Editing was choppy especially in episode 37. I really wish that post credit scene was shown pre-credits. I know they were at least I'm assuming setting up possibly for a season two but it still would've made a lot more sense. There were other things like I wish we had seen how MZE was fatally injured before he managed to gallop off to his young master. I wish that SJZ's death was less of a cop out and that HLL had killed him instead of some random dude from the other country that showed up in episode 36 and 37. I wish we had seen how BYT was rescued or whatever happened how he got because obviously he got out and I thought they should've had a reunion scene when the two of them using the original fake names that when they had met HLL to tell her at her manner in a way to bring back it all full circle instead of just doing that. They were running short of time and then it's like cut to next scene when you see ZZ walking up the steps in full uniform with the special sword all gilded out. Like show that the particular information was intercepted, cases is overturned make the ending more rounded. It's just these small editing scenes that would've made a big difference, even though I still believe that the show was an HE despite all the choppiness. Those three episodes would've made a huge difference and it's a shame that they had to cut them.

Would I recommend it? 150% this was one of those shows that I anticipated each day, because I loved every second of it other than the choppy parts of course. This is my favorite genre; the fight scenes were impeccable even the very last one which was you would think so imbalanced because ZZ just had a sword and the bad guy goon had this massive sword weapon thing that was the size of his own body, but still ZZ won and he ended up getting cured from his poison and all of his friends were all right. This is a true blue wuxia, for fans of the genre so I definitely recommend it. I really hope all of you enjoy as much as I did.

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2nd Underrated Gem of 2025

I put this on my watchlist because I wanted to see SWL in a modern drama and he did very well as did pretty much everyone else sans one villain. This was a series which had all the goodies of creepiness; contortionists, resurrection, evil relics, so on and so forth. This really was the second underrated gem of a drama that I've watched this year.

Pros: The Phoenix entire squad. Even Chubby, though he didn't contribute much other than talking nonstop, was an integral part of this team. I'm glad we finally got a chance to meet the supernatural chicken and it was fun to have. I really loved every single arc until the second to last one. I will speak about that in the cons. Every single thing was connected, obviously laid by a plan, created by the ultimate antagonist. But no matter what happened once the squad was formed they always had each other's backs and if they were in separate locations, they would always be in contact. Misunderstandings would get resolved very quickly. I love how the show kept us guessing with the multiple personalities of MD or the FL we didn't know for a while that she even had two personalities, but it was interesting to see the difference between her and the other one and a half I guess you could say I nicknamed the other personalities as Faith, which was dark MD and Robo Barbie, which was stoned MD. Even though this series didn't have any promotion, I think a lot of things were pretty well done especially CGI and the storytelling in general.

Other than our squad and the supernatural chicken, other favorite characters were MD's family, ML's family as well as his last surviving friend and actually the people from every single case good or bad they delivered on their performances. Also, the fight scenes were awesome. I mean gravity defying stunts and all of that I love very much. I also have to give props to the real antagonist of this show. He turned up in episode 1 and we sporadically saw him until his final arc in episode 31.

The OSTs, production, more or less in general, sets, even though a lot was CGI, but thankfully, it didn't look like they used anything fake like the desert or the village or the mountains. Comedy also hit as it was supposed to. Thankfully, no slapstick humor here.

Cons: This show got a whole point taken off for several reasons; for starters the incredibly choppy editing I have to say that that probably had something to do with cutting the amount of episodes down so production either didn't want to or didn't have time to edit scenes properly because you jump from one scenario to the next and you have no idea how you got there in a lot of the episodes. Also, a lot of times there were cliffhangers that seemed to just not be shown the following episode or they would just be explained in the way that wouldn't make sense. Also, there were a lot of loose ends, not tied. Like the relics are now in their bodies. What happens next? Are they sealed for good? What happens when the characters grow old and die; do the relics come back to life? There's a lot that was not explained in regarding to the relics. I think they should've done a deeper dive as novel readers pointed out. Also, what happened to Mr. creepy antagonist? Is he dead for good or until another 280 years passes and he resurrects like the creature from Jeepers Creepers?

The ending was rushed because the main antagonist was only given two episodes if that to put everything together and do his whole evil shtick. Meanwhile, the crazy creepy cackle Halloween store witch leopard lady was given something like six episodes but she killed that entire arc. Every single time she opened her mouth. I wanted to hit her with a bat. I hated her character not because she was bad but because she was so annoying. They completely miscast the actress or they should have dubbed her over with a Fluently Mandarin speaking actress. But even her acting was over the top; she twirled, and she pointed her fingers with fake nails and acted like a plum fool. You would never think of her as being this ruthless, horrible person that we saw in ML's flashbacks. Honestly, she was basically the equivalent of what a leather wearing, valley girl would be the best way to describe her and she knew neither English nor Mandarin fluently. When she spoke on top of it, her lips did not match the sound that was coming from her voice so obviously she dubbed herself and it was really poorly done and no one corrected anything. I legitimately got through all of her main scenes by fast forwarding her I couldn't even watch her.

Would I recommend it? I totally would, despite the choppy editing and one crappy antagonist. The show was great and sadly not promoted, but it deserves a watch, especially if you are into creepy type shows with a supernatural aspect.

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