Kateoz

Interesting points from Episode 30.

Both CPP and Fan Jian clearly know that the Emperor is the secret Grand master in the palace, hence their utter lack of concern for Emperor's safety (well there may be other reasons as well, but still).

Emperor could obviously hear all of that conversation between FX and CPP (well presumably he has super hearing as part of the GM package).

When told FX would die without someone who practiced same martial arts system as him fixed things, with potential damage to them at cost, Emperor considered but then started to do it - only stopped when it became clear that FX had a possible solution. Perhaps an element of guilt here (after all he set up the scenario), but even so that is a pretty major thing to do . So despite all, he really really does care about FX, to the extent that he is capable and willing (though actually we've seen this before, back in season 1 when he retreated to Taiping Villa when FX was in danger from Xiao En).

Although CPP explains it all in terms of taking down the Ye family, reasons for doing that may be connected to protecting FX - marries Second Prince off to them, then takes down the potential supporters second prince would have gained...

And other reason is surely kudos FX gains from protecting the Emperor and so publicly displaying his martial arts abilities....

The comment about keeping knowledge to himself and only revealing under pressure being like his mother...hmmm, you would have thought the poetry and other gadgets would be a bit of a giveaway on this front.

Not publicly yet, but FX has known since s1 end

And yet he started to help FX even at cost of potential damage to his own power, stopping only when FX woke up and started issuing instructions...

Bound to be a cliffhanger of some kind, but I'm betting person in jeopardy won't be FX....

I can't work out how to get later episodes than the link though (ie tonight's)!

There was a taboo around the name of an Emperor - calling them by their name (or even using the characters of his name in some other context) once they become king is a major major offence, hence it is never stated.

Really??! Maybe that's true if you are looking for a simple storyline like neglected illegitimate boy discovers he is really a prince, fights his way (literally) to become emperor (or not as the case may be!).

But from the beginning of season 1, this show has been about a lot more - about how people develop as a result of their beliefs and environment, with our main character developing from just wanting to live the good life, to caring about justice and trying to change things for the common people; finding out what his mother's story is; and trying to establish himself as in control of his life, not just a pawn in others plans. Its about power elites vs ordinary people, corruption and the way the world works, and what happens when you resist that.
Its about the right of everyone to choose their own destiny to some extent (whether its a robot or a sibling who doesn't want to get married!). And its always had a layer of meta around literature and how it is created and consumed, and the perspective of a culture from within, and then being looked at as a historical or outsider perspective (and a lot more, related to the Red Mansions novel).

Personally I think this season has done a terrific job advancing these themes on all these fronts, with the earlier episodes a necessary platform.

Maybe they could have mixed it up more, and it definitely feels like we are rushing now (I want at least ten more episodes, now to mention that third season!).

But it isn't a style for everyone - it is a show that demands a lot of work on the part of viewers as you have to read between the lines a lot, it rarely spells out the implications of everything, depending instead on micro-expressions to give away where the various characters are coming from.

Yes I have to admit I've forgotten what happened around this point in the novel, so will either have to reread or have to wait until tonight!

I'm not sure FX will be totally surprised at revelation Emperor is GM (and if he is, he shouldn't be) - after all, he saw him do his impressive double-flip backwards in season 1 at Taiping villa, when Emperor moves super fast to protect him from the archer, and they've shown us those arrows that the Emperor shot through solid metal armor many times in season 1, when Wu Zhu conveniently gives us a little explanation that a level 9 archer can shoot through metal and would harm even a GM (but not through his mother's modern key alloy!)...So although FX is generally oblivious to the heavy hints dropped about some things, he should realise that Emperor is at least a level 9...

Everything seems to suggest FX is at level 9 - at end of season 1 had taken down several level 8s, and held his own against a couple of level 9s, and the number of fights was said to be pushing his level up. FX says something in ep 29 to the effect that he isn't quite sure of his level, but thinks it is l9 in his conversation with Ye Cong. And I'm pretty sure he was l9 in the novel at this point, hence his problems with his internal energy, pushing at the barrier to the next level....

Can I suggest that's probably a fake out - the serial killer has been travelling up and down the country, tracked by Fei Jei to Jiagnan etc, which the Emperor clearly hasn't been (and even a grand master must have some limits on their speed of movement).

Fei Jei wasn't killed, it was just a fake out - he was knocked out and captured by Bureau.

I don't think he's trying to make him doubt Wu Zhu - the serial killer case is more complex!

I agree that Fei Jei was trapped to stop him intervening (but no reason to think he would have been at the flower viewing in any case), and catching the serial killer at an inconvenient moment. But I really don't think this is about Shadow wanting to fight FX!

I can't see anything in the series that suggests this is a loyalty test for FX. Instead seems more like bolstering his image (that message to the merchants, etc) even further, so he can take over from CPP (abut whom Emperor clearly does have doubts re loyalty).

In the novel yes. The question is whether the series will follow exactly the same path.

not perfect but bad at all - better than the kisskh ones use I think

Shi gu jian is the Grand Master in DongYi - in season 1 he was blamed for death of Chancellor Lin's son, and I think they pinned something else on him this season (can't quite remember what) and someone asks if taking a GM's name in vain won't come back to bite, but FX replies that if he cared he would have made it clear long ago! And yes absolutely fabulous.

Thoughts on ep 29:
1. Although in novel this was CPP's test of Emperor, in this version, Emperor totally knew it was coming (it was set it up on his orders?) - making FX take the pots of flowers up was to allow him to familiarise himself with layout.
2. Presumably set up to give FX another chance to shine - and order to follow the assassin a chance to show off his talents publicly.
3. Having someone following DongYi GM's style suddenly appear helps clear FX of responsibility for Lin son's death, so takes away second prince/Princess Royal's leverage.
4. Fan Jian knows Emperor is a grand master - I don't think that total disregard for Emperor's safety was just out of panic for FX.
5. FX pretty much told the Emperor he knew 'in that I was abandoned in Danzhou - but we've made it up to you since you came to the capital' conversation (dammit I've been waiting for the Luke I am your father conversation since the two interrupted attempts by Emperor in season 1) .

What a fabulously action packed and plot heavy episode!

They've done that from the beginning of season 1 - I think it is kind of cool actually!

True. Except for Fan Jian...