Perhaps we need to wait to see what unfolds? But in any case, the series already has a lot of characters, and…
I really think its a mistake to think they will follow the novel exactly on all this kind of detail - the episodes too date have seen a lot of rewriting of events that is quite different to the novel and the better for it!
First of all its his son, secondly he won't punish any of his sons hardly until they will turn against him...…
On why didn't he just use the archer to assassinate the Emperor, I think the problem is how to get himself appointed Emperor - it needs to not be easily traceable back to him, and he needs to take out CP first, preferably in a way that he doesn't get the blame for, otherwise dowager will not appoint him Emperor.
The stool scene still puzzles me too - if the four legs are supposed to be his brothers, then it is completely hypocritical given a few royals got knocked off by Emperor in his climb to the post (at least in the novel), and the longstanding rivalry to the death of the two princes. And why can't FX be his fourth stool?
But for what it is worth my speculation is as follows: first, I agree with you on the balancing power argument - I know that in the novel it was about balancing power but I don't think the series is going in exactly the same direction. The issue it seems to me is that Emperor is not that concerned about corruption per se, or there wouldn't be so much of it rife, so proving second prince is bribing people is neither here nor there in his mind. But he is conscious that royals visibly being seen to be at each others throats creating public scandal undermines the monarchy (season 1 speech where Emperor quotes someone, presumably FX's mother and Princess Royal says anyone who could say that should be executed!).
Secondly, if there was clear evidence that 2nd P (and/or Princess Royal) was plotting a rebellion that would be a different matter, but so far there is no evidence that he actually is. I think its actually pretty clear though that behind the scenes the Emperor is still trying to help FX get the evidence one way or another.
Thirdly, if Emperor thinks Second Prince is most certainly headed for the chop, perhaps wants Crown Prince to keep his hands clean and let FX do the dirty work for him. He also probably thinks CP shouldn't get too close to FX (assuming things stay true to the novel as it seems it will) given role of Empress in FX's mothers' demise.
I think too the Emperor is contradictory because the other two are so proprietary in claiming FX as theirs, and not willing to acknowledge his claim on FX, and because he suspects CPP's intentions (remember that scene towards the end of season 1).
I understand that in the novel it was a man's world and the women were accessories but it bothers me that has…
The novel is pretty horrible in its treatment of female characters, but I actually think the series has done a fair job in fixing that, with several important female roles and lots of minor ones shining in this season.
In particular, although Madam Fan did take on a mother role, I think the omission of a close mother figure is very deliberate - its actually a bit of a reversal of the usual meme of a boy looking for his long lost father, instead he is looking for his long lost mother, and finding her in the ideals she set out, her relationship with Wu Zhu, the conversation with Xiao En and so forth. And still trying to find out why she died...
The most obvious weakness in female roles is the lack of a proactive role for Wan'er as yet - just being his comfort zone is nice, but would be better if she was actively helping him more (like the scene where she helped him infiltrate the palace to replace the fake key in Season 1) or something similar. But there is still time...
I also think the description of the five as father figures is not quite accurate. He has only two who were his life as a child (WuZhu and Fei Jie) and neither of them are particularly fatherly (really a tough love master-apprentice relationship), plus a lot of males mostly locking horns over how to use him, viewing him mostly as a pawn in their own agendas.
CPP was no doubt spying on him and his progress, and at least sent Fie Jie to teach him (more than the other seem to have done), and seems to be acting like an uncle genuinely helping him and prodding him to fulfill his mother's agenda; but other two didn't write, didn't visit, and still just use him.
The only one FX seems to view as a real father figure is Fan Jian, but even there, it is actually Fan Xian who mostly acts as the adult, giving out parenting advice (what father would accept this from a real son!) and problem solving for the various crises FJ is dragged into because of him. Even in season 1, although it is never spelt out on camera, it seemed to me clear that FJ only pretended to back off from the forced marriage (teasing FX via wife) after he knew (from Emperor and everyone else including Princess by that point) that chicken drumstick girl was Waner! Yes, he's wanted to protect him but only so he can fulfill his priority of being rich (see Fan Sizhe's attempts to gain recognition from his father).
Bingo cards (or keys for a drink) for this season: we see second Prince's bare feet second prince fiddling with his ring (concealed poison???) second prince or minion thereof eats grapes Emperor doesn't eat wheelchairs star everyone eats yoghurt (!)
saw someone said that he was the one who killed the horses and u can even see him for a split second but idk if…
I'm not sure he was right though - either Wu Zhu or Shadow seems more plausible. Gao Da said didn't even get sword out of scabbard, and he certainly seemed to be standing still blinded by sand when that shadowy figure flew through the crowd...
The thing is he had no other option. If he had outed Cheng Ze, the one to suffer most would be him because all…
But he said in an earlier episode that he had no family. I was really hoping he would defect to FX (and I can't help feeling Bian looks more sympathetic to FX than Prince at the moment as well...).
Women are usually used as a prop for the ML in this kind of stories, and you will usually get overly gross characterization.As…
I think that's unfair - each of these are more than just the caricature you suggest. I actually think they did a great job with Li Yun Rui in particular, since despite her Bond villains cat, the (lack of) relationship with her daughter, her anger at losing her powerful role and much more get drawn out. And there are lots of other female characters who shine just as much as the other male minor parts. This is all the more surprising given the source material the screenwriter is working from, he has actually done a pretty good job in making some of these fully fleshed characters with strong roles.
Lord lai what is wrong with HIM??? He’s too rigid🥲🥲🥲 ep.15 is too crazy😔😔 i got nothing to say..…
Classic case of a little bit of power going to the head - we know that for years the censorite has been a useless joke; he finally gets a win with a lot of help from FX (remember his twitch of a grin in ep 10 when Lord Lai says how easy it was to get the goods on Eunuch Dai, plus access to the Overwatch files) then instead of accepting the in keeps pushing and push and pushing well beyond the limits for any monarchy.
First of all its his son, secondly he won't punish any of his sons hardly until they will turn against him...…
got to remember that back in s1 it was pretty clear Emperor suspected someone was plotting to rebel against him (hence the fishbait of FX being necessary) and clearly one of the reasons he's given him the tiger Guards and a licence to keep going (plus bringing back first prince who could presumably help defend against any rebellion) even if understandably reluctant to actually take out an acknowledged son without actual proof...
Examination Arc will start soon. But how come there is Yang Wan Li and Shi Chan Li only. Where is Hou Ji Cheng…
Perhaps we need to wait to see what unfolds? But in any case, the series already has a lot of characters, and several more likely, so if they are just making it two that may be a sensible trimming - its one thing for a 750 chapter novel another to translate it into tv. Also given that no brothel to be run, that's already one less person needed...
Rip Censor Lai. His death is sad but completely realistic, since the first time he appeared on screen, I wondered…
I noticed that the 'raw' version has sound track very at odds with lip movements - not sure if they are going to fix this, but does this imply had to change a lot to get past censorship? I can imagine that episode could be a bit touchy!
- If he goes to the hall of ancestors and pays homage, he will be considered a Fan and even if everyone knows…
The book said that, but I'm not sure if that is really true in real history? More difficult sure, but at least in Korean practice, it was just a matter of getting the queen or someone else (including in some cases dead queens and kings!) to formally adopt the desired heir....
Fan Xian looked so manly and hot in episode 11, when giving orders. Especially when he took his apron off!He would…
It sounded to me like a hint Emperor might want to acknowledge him as his son publicly.
In season 1 the Chancellor/PM (Lin Wan'ers father) mentioned FX still wasn't in the Fan families official registry (ie acknowledged as officially part of the Fan family). I assume you can only officially worship your ancestors if you have been officially adopted or acknowledged as officially part of the family, and that Fan Jian hasn't been game to do that to this point for fear of Emperor's reaction.
In the book, FX does indeed choose to and become officially a Fan, thus making it clear that he has no aspirations to be Emperor. But its unclear whether the series is going in the same direction - though given the psychotic nature of the Imperial family, I'd certainly be tempted to run!
I enjoying the scriptwriting for the court session. It was intense. Prince #2 is worried.
Agreed. There were a few comments between him and Princess in season 1 about just why the Emperor picked him to run the treasury etc, and in this season about why Emperor favours him so. Link that with his insistence on FX attending those wonderful 'family' meals, and its obvious...
I want to ask people who read the novel is it good just like the drama? Is the emperor character like the drama…
I disliked the novel, especially the early parts that covered series 1, as the script was just so much better. I kept reading because I wanted to know what happens, and got more into it, but really the scriptwriter has transformed this wonderfully, and although it uses a lot of the subplots, much of it and the characters are driven in different directions, so personally I'd just stick with the series (unless you are desperate to know the ending!).
That scene of FX seeing through DZY was just sensational. It was amazing how he uplifted him !! I would love to…
Totally agree - and seemed to me actor was imitating Emperor's mannerisms when he did some of that (albeit mostly much less terrifying!), which really added to it.
And loved that FX finally realised just how much CPP and Emperor dug him out of holes in season 1...
To everyone who watch this drama what do you think of the emperor does he love FX or he just use him? Iam very…
I think the series is taking a different approach to the book - in the book, no genuine liking at all, but in the series seems to genuinely like (to the extent that a person of his personality can!) and be proud of him and have an agenda for him (which goes beyond fish bait/getting the technology of the temple). There have been several scenes, most notably those at the villa in s1, where he seems to genuinely be about to express affection/reveal all...He also said when sending him North he needed to gain experience in order to do great things, and I think he meant it.
Two problems though. The first is that though Emperor professes to care about his sons, family and seems reluctant to execute anyone, in reality he plays them off against each other like chess pieces, knows full well that the competition between CP and second Prince is gong to end with one of them dying, and has no real relationship with any of them bar FX (witness those dysfunctional family dinners inter alia).
But the Emperor is also extremely utilitarian, and FX has proven already that he has a lot to offer Emperor - he's surely worried about and using FX (and perhaps return of first prince to capital) to address threat of rebellion from Princess and second Prince; plus his literary skill; plus martial skills (potential next GM for the kingdom?).
The great development this season I think is that FX clearly has more of his measure now - has realised just how much he was protected in his early days in the capital, but also how to appeal to Emperor's interests (what was the drawing he submitted to him in secret meeting - weapon? sled design to get to North Pole???) in order to get what he wants.
That said, Emperor is clearly paranoid about potential threats to his power, and the more FZ achieves, the more that becomes an issue....
The stool scene still puzzles me too - if the four legs are supposed to be his brothers, then it is completely hypocritical given a few royals got knocked off by Emperor in his climb to the post (at least in the novel), and the longstanding rivalry to the death of the two princes. And why can't FX be his fourth stool?
But for what it is worth my speculation is as follows: first, I agree with you on the balancing power argument - I know that in the novel it was about balancing power but I don't think the series is going in exactly the same direction. The issue it seems to me is that Emperor is not that concerned about corruption per se, or there wouldn't be so much of it rife, so proving second prince is bribing people is neither here nor there in his mind. But he is conscious that royals visibly being seen to be at each others throats creating public scandal undermines the monarchy (season 1 speech where Emperor quotes someone, presumably FX's mother and Princess Royal says anyone who could say that should be executed!).
Secondly, if there was clear evidence that 2nd P (and/or Princess Royal) was plotting a rebellion that would be a different matter, but so far there is no evidence that he actually is. I think its actually pretty clear though that behind the scenes the Emperor is still trying to help FX get the evidence one way or another.
Thirdly, if Emperor thinks Second Prince is most certainly headed for the chop, perhaps wants Crown Prince to keep his hands clean and let FX do the dirty work for him. He also probably thinks CP shouldn't get too close to FX (assuming things stay true to the novel as it seems it will) given role of Empress in FX's mothers' demise.
I think too the Emperor is contradictory because the other two are so proprietary in claiming FX as theirs, and not willing to acknowledge his claim on FX, and because he suspects CPP's intentions (remember that scene towards the end of season 1).
In particular, although Madam Fan did take on a mother role, I think the omission of a close mother figure is very deliberate - its actually a bit of a reversal of the usual meme of a boy looking for his long lost father, instead he is looking for his long lost mother, and finding her in the ideals she set out, her relationship with Wu Zhu, the conversation with Xiao En and so forth. And still trying to find out why she died...
The most obvious weakness in female roles is the lack of a proactive role for Wan'er as yet - just being his comfort zone is nice, but would be better if she was actively helping him more (like the scene where she helped him infiltrate the palace to replace the fake key in Season 1) or something similar. But there is still time...
I also think the description of the five as father figures is not quite accurate. He has only two who were his life as a child (WuZhu and Fei Jie) and neither of them are particularly fatherly (really a tough love master-apprentice relationship), plus a lot of males mostly locking horns over how to use him, viewing him mostly as a pawn in their own agendas.
CPP was no doubt spying on him and his progress, and at least sent Fie Jie to teach him (more than the other seem to have done), and seems to be acting like an uncle genuinely helping him and prodding him to fulfill his mother's agenda; but other two didn't write, didn't visit, and still just use him.
The only one FX seems to view as a real father figure is Fan Jian, but even there, it is actually Fan Xian who mostly acts as the adult, giving out parenting advice (what father would accept this from a real son!) and problem solving for the various crises FJ is dragged into because of him. Even in season 1, although it is never spelt out on camera, it seemed to me clear that FJ only pretended to back off from the forced marriage (teasing FX via wife) after he knew (from Emperor and everyone else including Princess by that point) that chicken drumstick girl was Waner! Yes, he's wanted to protect him but only so he can fulfill his priority of being rich (see Fan Sizhe's attempts to gain recognition from his father).
we see second Prince's bare feet
second prince fiddling with his ring (concealed poison???)
second prince or minion thereof eats grapes
Emperor doesn't eat
wheelchairs star
everyone eats yoghurt (!)
But yes the costumes for this season are particularly good, esp ep 10 princes
In season 1 the Chancellor/PM (Lin Wan'ers father) mentioned FX still wasn't in the Fan families official registry (ie acknowledged as officially part of the Fan family). I assume you can only officially worship your ancestors if you have been officially adopted or acknowledged as officially part of the family, and that Fan Jian hasn't been game to do that to this point for fear of Emperor's reaction.
In the book, FX does indeed choose to and become officially a Fan, thus making it clear that he has no aspirations to be Emperor. But its unclear whether the series is going in the same direction - though given the psychotic nature of the Imperial family, I'd certainly be tempted to run!
And loved that FX finally realised just how much CPP and Emperor dug him out of holes in season 1...
Two problems though. The first is that though Emperor professes to care about his sons, family and seems reluctant to execute anyone, in reality he plays them off against each other like chess pieces, knows full well that the competition between CP and second Prince is gong to end with one of them dying, and has no real relationship with any of them bar FX (witness those dysfunctional family dinners inter alia).
But the Emperor is also extremely utilitarian, and FX has proven already that he has a lot to offer Emperor - he's surely worried about and using FX (and perhaps return of first prince to capital) to address threat of rebellion from Princess and second Prince; plus his literary skill; plus martial skills (potential next GM for the kingdom?).
The great development this season I think is that FX clearly has more of his measure now - has realised just how much he was protected in his early days in the capital, but also how to appeal to Emperor's interests (what was the drawing he submitted to him in secret meeting - weapon? sled design to get to North Pole???) in order to get what he wants.
That said, Emperor is clearly paranoid about potential threats to his power, and the more FZ achieves, the more that becomes an issue....