EtoileNoire

Bad subtitles are kind of spoiling this one for me. I have to set it aside for later.

The Nanny characters remind me of Aunt Lydia in the Handmaid's Tale.

Leshan is the best (although some of the beatings were a bit over the top).

I'm enjoying it too. The mix of court cases with just a bit of in-law/marital conflict is perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I don't understand why Shen decided to give the nanny six lashes. Can someone explain why asking to see him was wrong?

Also why did Shen change his mind about divorce when the wedding gifts were returned?

Clearly there are gaps in my knowledge of the context and historical details because the denouement of the episode didn't make any sense to me. I was fine with the kidnapping, the Master then the court case, but felt lost thereafter.

Maybe take your own advice.

Spotted that one too. I'm going to look for a way to report errors like that.

ETA: It's at 33:50 in episode 21.

The most recent four episodes or so have been much more comprehensible. I really thought I was losing it when I couldn't follow that stretch of 5-6 episodes.

This probably explains why the show is not making any sense to me. I've tried watching with French & English subtitles but still struggle. The last two episodes were clearer though.

I find this show confusing. I understand the main plot points but the episodes don't make sense to me. The only recent one I've understood is the mother & daughter killing the adopted son.

I don't understand the relationship Fan & his wife have. I also don't see any attraction between Du & his wife.

I watched it all the way through twice and still don't understand it.

"The shift started in ep. 17 when Menglin stood up for her in front of Liu Wan and her toadies and Muzhi wouldn't/couldn't."
------------------------------------
To me, that was a high point in his character development rather than a turning point. Even then, the actor's line delivery was that of a petulant child. He had a couple other good moments, but IMO it wasn't enough for her to fall in love with him - friendship maybe, mutual respect, or the dynastic version of FWB. That ending didn't feel like a natural or logical conclusion & the heroine would have done just as well in life by herself or with a better partner (someone smart & driven like the middle Qi brother for example).

I enjoyed everything about this show except the "romance" with Qi Meng Lin. He was just too dumb, impulsive, & childish for the FL even though he improved somewhat over the course of the series. To the very end I couldn't stop thinking, "Dude, she's not that into you." It seemed against character for Luo Shu to fall in love so quickly after ending things with the Magistrate.

If the romance hadn't been shoe-horned in for no damn reason, the last case and the conspiracy around it could have been played out & resolved more satisfactorily.

Despite the good qualities of the drama, that aspect left me feeling annoyed & let down as if I'd wasted my time.

So far she seems to veer from fierce & clever to vapid & stupid. That business with the sitar had me rolling my eyes.

I'm glad there's a second season because the ending felt inconclusive.

I couldn't find the actor who plays the head of the flower guild, probably due to a difference in how the character's name is transcribed. If you or anyone else knows who he is, please point me in the right direction.

Report & block the trolls. It's what they deserve.

I wonder if he grooms them to hand over to Madam Yu.