SeanFletcher

After two episodes - what a genuine delight. Although the episodes are only 10 minutes each, they tell the story in plenty of detail. I’m looking forward to the remainder of this series

I thought I would take a look at the poems by Li Qingzhao, the great poet who lived around the same time that the story of Ming Lan is set and well known for describing how things were at the time. One of these, is Chongjiu:

Fine mist, thick clouds:
A day of sadness drags on.
The incense in the gilt animal-burner is running out.
Once more the festive day of Double Ninth returns,
And my mesh-curtained bed and jewelled pillows
Are drenched in the chill of midnight.
Beside the east hedge I drink after dusk:
A subtle fragance fills my sleeves.
When the west wind blows the blinds aside,
I am frailer than the chrysanthemums.

It was her way of communicating to her beloved husband how much she was suffering due to him being away. Biographers state that her husband was so overwhelmed when he received it, he wrote 50 poems in return :)

There is so much fascinating stuff regarding this show and the essence of the Alhambra itself.

The Alhambra is considered by some as the most beautiful building in the world. It has over 10,000 inscriptions on its walls and ceilings. One of the inscriptions at the Palace says: "Be sparse in words and you will go in peace".

Part of the legend surrounding the Alhambra is to do with when the Christian army reconquered it, thus ending seven centuries of Muslim rule in southern Spain. The legend goes that the city's last Arabic ruler burst into tears as he surveyed the Alhambra for the last time before heading into exile. His mother (the Sultana Axia) then said: "Do not weep like a woman for what you could not defend like a man."

Despite my frustrations with eps 13, 14 & 15 - Jin Woo is determined not to epitomise the myth while Hee Joo is trying her best to ensure he makes it.

Hmmm. I found myself with episode 1 marvelling at the start. It is super good and engrossing. Then it does the three months earlier thing and various flashbacks, which started to lose me (I’m just so over this as a plot device). The rest of the episode is well done. It is well made and produced, the acting is very good and Chairman Kook well named.

But, and it’s a big but for me. Lawyer 1 – terrific television. Lawyer 2 - Lawyer Jo, wherefore art thou? The essence is not there. Even though our villainess as the counterpoint has a great screen presence, it’s wasted here. Shin-yang makes very good shows, however, I have already put a line through this one and it’s a shame. Perhaps I got up on the wrong side of the bed :)

Well, I gave it four episodes. It’s a good cast and some of the scenes were engaging. I just found myself fast forwarding through too much of it.

The first 15 episodes were very good. Better than many HK dramas out there. The last ten episodes were a bit up and down. However, very good performances all round and some lovely moments, and sad ones, throughout. Worth a look.

I thought episode 5 was particularly well done. No surprises, but I liked the level of compassion it portrayed regarding everyone’s situation and also the room our respective couples gave each other once they began a proper conversation

:-)

Ditto :)

So, there I was enjoying the first few minutes of episode 11 and then Dr Daniel turns up - just ruined things for me. I then limped through the rest of the episode with a grimace, but brightened up towards the end. Then there was with the epilogue between the two male leads, and I have to say, it was hysterical.

Yes, at least a friendship. The Minister’s daughter is more interesting at the moment and what will be reavealled there.

I’m not really sure, but it feels like our two leads may end up having some sort of relationship . What I do like about this drama, is that by the completion of the fourth episode, we are starting to see our characters reveal their inner (true) selves.

For me, the use of the non linear narrative in Alhambra has been highly effective. It fits nicely into the puzzle that is the game itself: you can come and go at anytime and stop and start at any point too.

If you get the chance, or have the time, take a look at The Story of Ming Lan. I know it’s a Chinese drama, but it is breathtaking in the detail regarding the female characters and the parts they play and the ongoing detailed discussions they have regarding living in a man’s world. It’s great writing, very clever story telling and one for the quality slow drama movement.

What is amazing re PSH is her commitment to Alhambra - learning to play one of the most difficult classical guitar pieces, ensuring her Spanish was accurate and reading as many tourism books about Alhambra itself. Professional through and through.

Episode 28 - not a dry eye in the house

Yes, that’s right. It’s fantastic that they can do such a wonderful show together.

Well, I like a variety of dramas. So, Manpuku (very uplifting), Memories of the Alhambra (wonderful and mysterious), Fates and Furies (captivating), Gangnam Scandal (A surprise packet - truly delightful and funny), Harrassment Game (workplace rules vs commonsense), The Story of Ming Lan (Absolutely Brilliant - fabulous acting, great dialogue and the attention to cultural detail unrivalled). A little gem re Emily’s 5 Things (Message of fate in a bottle) and Clean With Passion For Now (It’s like watching a bear take on Tinkerbell - lol).

They just seem so natural together. Wonderful acting all round.

Yes :)

Eps 23 & 24 are brilliant story telling. A combination of Minglan cleverness and Second Uncle Gu heroics