SeanFletcher

That’s fabulous, thank you! Letting things out is a good thing. I appreciate the compare and contrast regarding the historical context and the other cultural details. Yes, earnestness is a good use of phrase when it comes to Minglan. What I particularly liked with Minglan was the level of conversation used and the level of feeling or emotion/expression which seemed to be in keeping with what can be found in Li Qingzhao‘s poems and songs.

I think Chang’an is going to be hard to beat for quite some time. I even found the way the dog was used at the end of Ep 12 intriguing. Why is it on its own? what happened for that to occur? was it deliberate? will the dog find x? and so on. Rare film making indeed.

Nearly halfway. Very few shows have the great attention to detail or use of language that Chang’an has. I’m thinking Deadwood, Minglan, The West Wing ...

What a great character Han Tae Joo is. When she is making a deal with her clients, it’s so natural (almost like the devil sitting on your shoulder).

I didn’t think so. It was dealt with quite well.

Yes, the acting is superb. I thought after the end to Ep 8 (which I was disappointed with), Ep 9 transitioned the story very well. However, I felt Ep 10 needed to be a longer episode to accommodate JTJ’s transition so to speak and close out some of the other storylines.

I haven’t watched the US (Netflix) version of “House of Cards” because the original UK version was such a masterpiece (and so on the money). Perhaps, I will one day.

Overall, I gave COS 9.5. The first half of the show and the portrayal of how a COS goes about business is not far off the mark. Perhaps Season 2 will be even stronger re our idealist failing to see how his actions are changing as a result of the quest for power. I find it interesting how he clings on to Minister Song’s comments re giving up everything to achieve a goal. Do the ends justify the means?

I thought it was good. It’s very funny in places. I hope they can keep it going like that.

Yes, there is. But, they get resolved along the way

Lol ... everyone’s life is a mess. Our AK men really don’t have a clue. Anyway, as only the Japanese can do :)

We had a story that went from the extraordinary to the ordinary. The acting however, was fabulous all the way through. Our OTP were lovely together and the soundtrack - wonderful.

A lovely taxi movie. A good one to watch on a rainy afternoon

After 10 episodes it’s time to say goodbye. It had a good start with real potential and there are some good characters. It just seems to be going nowhere fast.

Ep 13 - amazing. Tearful, but in a good way

I think it’s a keeper already!

Eight episodes down and it hasn’t let up. Just when you think they have forgotten somebody they come back in to focus. Mesmerising.

This is brilliant. Thank you for providing the link.

It’s really nice to see you here too! Chang’an reminds me of those classic epic Chinese films that also take the time to focus on the characters. It is just such a clever show. The visuals and the lighting are something else. The inside scenes in the warehouses and the shops seem so real. It is going to be a hard act to follow :)

Some great observations. I think we are in for some further surprises.

What an awesome and gritty start. Some great acting already and a story that hints at interwoven and complex history between the characters. Multi-faceted characters such as these always make a drama interesting!

It does seem that way. Unfortunately, he has to make these choices because he is in the world of politics (aka Game of Thrones) and is beginning to lose his grip as a master player in this realm. It happens even to the best political movers and shakers and is known as “failing to see the wood (forest) for the trees” (there are many well documented cases out there re this political phenomenon).

Plan B for him would be to actually listen to KSY and step back or actually resign and rise from the ashes at a later date. Not many people are wise enough to do this though. His resurrection in this instance would make Chief of Staff even more compelling.

What you are seeing play out is the impact of his dream falling apart and the pressure this can put on someone when this happens. You start to make silly mistakes, make the wrong calls and even lose sight of what is important. It’s very realistic in this regard.