QAS

I was getting bored by the time episode 23 came around. Very glad it's over.

X's big reveal was convenient witing. I thought X was the ringleader of the Oracle, but he was a pawn with connections.

I was a little disappointed in the writing and flashback filler in the final two episodes, that slowed down the conclusion. The ending signalled a potential future Situ-Luo collaboration. Sorry that the Situ Yan Detective Agency in Harbin shut down.

Jin Qiming gave himself away from episode 1. He seemed to have answers at his fingertips. Only Mr X would be this polished. Mo Wan was also shadowing Situ, so it was no surprise that she was also a member of the secret society.

I suspected it was him, and went searching on You Tube. I am able recognize his singing voice, for an odd reason. His Guardian song was amazing.

Xueran Chen, who sang the theme song of Guardian, sings the theme song of Checkmate.

https://youtu.be/xQCPqksSH-Y

Ep 10; the University Principal is overacting. Her interview with Situ and Luo is very suspicious.

I don't think they will kill off the the MLs. If the drama is successful, they might make another season.

I also find the editing to be sub par, and very typical for the Asian drama genre. The director and editor should look at a few British dramas, to see how the plot is formatted.

I haven't reached that far in the drama to know about Mr X, but he's hyperactive, and full of knowledge, past and present. Did Situ and Luo ask him why he knows so much?

Newspaper Reporter Jin Qi Ming is one of the smartest characters, but he has a very annoying habit of trotting into, and out of scenes, like the eunuchs of the historical costume dramas. Since this story is set the 20th century, didn't he learn how to walk normally?

I am watching episode 7 now. I started yesterday. It's like watching a British detective drama, except there are 24 continuous episodes unlike the British dramas that released three or four episodes per year. It's not bad. A little slow paced, but the dialog weaves the story and the mystery. I am admiring the architecture and the waedrobe choices. The hairstyles not as much!

There was more interaction in the comments than the drama plot. 🤣🤣🤣

Even if they made a season 2, it would get censored. If the producers lost money with the 25% cut, they would not want to waste more money on a sequel, that would also get cut.

The dream sequence seems very plausible, but the bit about YunSong and San joining the army to fight the Japanese seemed too specific.

One should consider that the drama is written for Chinese audiences, who might not be familiar with the Agatha Christie novels. Western audiences are fringe viewers.

Princess Actress in the first case was Old Bei Feng in Lost in Kunlun Mountains. I thought her face looked familiar.

The whole production cycle is suspect. When they are reviewing the scripts and storyboard, the director and producer should know by now what might be considered NRTA violations, and work on story alterations before they start filming. The NRTA is rigid with their rules. They are wasting financial assets and human resources filming scenes that will not pass the censorship board. Lost in the Kunlun Mountains lost 25% of the drama, which is bad. A 10% loss might have been OK.

She didn't pack a wardrobe for the expedition because there was no room left, after she packed the two transreceivers in the two suitcases, to send to, and receive messages from Ladyship.

Rating for final episode: 3 out of 10

They never found the Kunlun Mountains, to get lost in it. LOL