Sharlotka

Was the father a hidden serial killer, though? He'd have fought alongside the Emperor, so he probably killed lots of people during that time, so he always had it in him. He just ended up snapping at one point and went full psycho out of desperation.

But yeah. He actually admitted himself in that confrontation with Feng Suige that he comes from military family yet he can't have all these great achievements, can't even ride a horse, etc. He got ambitious and ended up going in way above his head, even though he was completely not suited to what that entailed. But all in all, I liked that he made this realisation - I messed up and here we are, paying the price for it. It's something I really enjoy when a series does about villains and in this case, both father and son.

And the brother... I have to admit - he got probably the absolute best character development in the series when it comes to his attitude towards being an emperor. Standing up to people, staying true to what he believed rather than letting himself be manipulated. Definitely another thing that they've really done well rather than following a usual trope.

Yeah, it was creepy but then again, they did the same thing with Emperor and Feng Suige and I think it was a great. I think Yao was kind of understanding it earlier, when he saw the turn in his father and all, but I think it fully dawned on him when he fell to the floor and last thing he saw was his father's body - that it wouldn't have come to this if he had just been content with what he had, which wasn't so bad after all. It doesn't redeem or justify him in any way, but I found it to be a great touch.

And I loved Feng Suige's emotions too - the pain he felt was quite obvious too in that scream. And them fighting with their bare fists instead of swords - se saw that in that video but I liked when he just threw the sword away, making it close, personal. It was a great touch too.

Yes, it could have been better but I think it ended up working well. Initially, I would have preferred for him to die after his son but what we have seen with Yao's part actually convinced me that it works this way well because of realisations that Yao makes after seeing his father, and the way everything is staged, to the point of making me go full lunatic when I left a comment with my thoughts lol

I couldn't help liking the way Feng Suige makes him realise that he didn't have to do all of that - that he misunderstood the Emperor and went full psycho and basically doomed them, when he would have achieved better results by doing nothing. And you can see him understand that. These are my favourite types of villains - ones that are not black and white, and I really enjoyed that character, even though what he did was crazy.

I was quite satisfied with that scene, even if it could have been better in some ways, but also the way the sidekicks got their own revenge. Personally, I only watched up to episode 36 yesterday because it reduced me to such complete mess that I needed to calm down, and by the time I did, I had to go to sleep lol But I feel quite satisfied with the revenges until that point.

Aww. I always admire that they're able to both stop their hands or move away in time lol With my lack of coordination and everything, I'd probably end up accidentally punching someone or being punched more times than not lol

Yeah, agreed! Both in this scene, and flashbacks show it well, too - they mostly showed us moments when the characters didn't say anything, but they still expressed perfectly what was supposed to be shown. A lot of actors in this drama did a great job, really.

Episode 36

I really, really enjoy 2nd Prince’s character development. Why can’t there be more series that follow this path? I loved his conversation with his mother, and loved how he was really sad to see her behave the way she did.

I still hate the Princess, and I felt sad for the Jinxiu Emperor when she told him it was nothing more than a transaction, when it clearly had become a lot more than that for him. It’s funny that she had been speaking about how she’d change Xia Jingshi, but she ended up changing his brother (to an extent).

Now to my way too long mad ramblings that are going to take most of my comment…

My Murong Yao! T__T He deserved all of this and more, but I’m still a mess because I really loved this character, on top of loving the actor and starting to watch this drama mainly for him.

I really liked how Feng Suige placed his father’s body for him to discover in a similar way that the Emperor’s body was staged when he was lured into the palace. And while I still feel that Murong Sr. watching his son die in front of him would have been great, I can’t help liking the way seeing his father dead made him realise that the path he had chosen was the wrong one.

The way Murong Sr. did everything for his son, he was doing everything he was for his father and for his family, so there is something nice about him seeing the consequences of his actions in that form. And the way he remembered everything his father told him, the tears when he realised just how badly he messed up. It makes me feel that he wasn’t a black and white kind of character, and he didn’t have to end up this way - but he made his choices and there was no going back, even if he was clearly not suited or fully prepared for what these choices meant.

But… Why did they have to kill me with all those flashbacks to the scenes I loved so much, when the things between them were still fine? I really enjoy watching friendships like this - between two characters who seem nothing alike and yet get along, so it was only expected that I’d love these two interacting this way. I couldn’t help hoping for a tiny hint of a redemption arc for Murong Yao, even if he could never be fully redeemed after everything he had done, I just wanted to see him do something for Feng Suige to show that at the end of the day, he did care.

I didn’t get that, but I can’t say that I’m unhappy with the end for this character. All I had been hoping for was that if he was to die, and he definitely deserved to, I want him to be killed by Feng Suige himself, even if it was going to completely break my heart. There is something very satisfying in the way they didn’t fight with swords but actually used their bare hands - makes it more emotional, more personal, and I loved it all the more for it. It was very satisfying.

And the way Feng Suige screamed afterwards, it was clear just how much pain the character was in after what just happened. It couldn’t have been easy for him, with everything that the two of them had shared over the years.

I’ve seen him in a few dramas by now and once again, I absolutely loved Zuo Ye in his role. It’s the first time I watched him play a villain and he not only did not disappoint, he delivered an amazing performance. I really hope for more great roles for him in the future.

Episode 35

The sidekicks get to kill Murong Jie! I’m so happy! It was very satisfying to watch.

The scene of Feng Suige reclaiming the Feng Batallion was also very enjoyable, very cinematic too. The way they turned on that shouting official was quite nice, too.

The confrontation with Murong Sr. though satisfying, leaves me feeling like it would have been a bit more satisfying if he watched his son die in front of him before he was killed. I still believe that his character didn’t have to take the turn that it did - it’s desperation, feeling like you have no other option, that made him go all out like that. It’s kinda sad that all that was needed to prevent it was for the Emperor to say what he had been thinking when he went to beg. Though, I have to admit that in the end, he made a great villain and I really enjoyed his motivations. He had a very simple goal but one that made sense. I really liked him telling Feng Suige that it was the Empress who killed his father, too.

I can’t shake off a feeling that the expectation was to make the Jinxiu Emperor so unlikeable that people would support Xia Jingshi in what he wants to do but for me, it’s the opposite. Yes, the guy is insane, but between the two characters, there’s something about him that is way more likeable than there is about Xia Jingshi. Or at least these are my feelings.

Episode 34

I’ve admittedly been skipping scenes when it comes to the Jinxiu plot - partially because I am too eager to know how this whole story (Susha’s anyway) is going to resolve, and partially because I just don’t care. These characters should have been developed earlier - we should have been given a reason to like them, sympathise with them, care about what happens to them. It doesn’t help that the only character we got to know a bit more, other than Xia Jingshi, is the Princess whom I couldn’t care any less about and actually don't like in the slightest. And Xia Jingshi himself, I don’t know. I understand why he wants to get rid of his brother but I feel like we’ve been given no reason to care about his plot, about his revenge, and this plot may as well not exist for me.

The only part I somewhat enjoy in Jinxiu is the way the Emperor is with the Princess. The scene with choosing the palaces, when he said he’d build her a new one if she doesn’t like any of the ones he already has - that was unexpected haha, and that smile at the end.

Feng Suige saying he trusts his brother, watched him grow up and all of that. It’s really sweet but, Feng Suige, wouldn’t you say the same about Murong Yao at one point and how did that turn out, to my deepest heartbreak? A part of me feels like it would make sense for him to be a bit more careful even if he was correct in the end. The reunion between the brothers was sweet, though.

Episode 33

Lady An and Lord Ling getting high on mushrooms, I couldn’t stop laughing. Shame that they didn’t explain any kind of history here but oh well.

I’d be much happier if any assassination attempt at the Princess actually succeeded. I still feel like she married the wrong brother, the guy might be not quite right in the head but seems to genuinely care about her, in his own twisted way.

Murong Sr. telling his son he’d make him an Emperor - I mean, I’d watch that lol but isn’t that a bit too ambitious? Then again, I suppose not - you may as well go all in at this point.

I am really impressed by the 2nd Prince, though - probably one of the few character developments in this drama that I am surprisingly pleased by rather that somewhat sad or disappointed. “If you don’t want to be manipulated, you must do as I say” - ermm, isn’t what you’re doing exactly manipulation, Empress?

And some of the sidekicks survived! More than I expected, even if only a few of them. That’s nice.

I have added it now, thank you!

Thanks! I think I even have it on my list, so I'll check it out!

Well, that tells me it's probably a good way to go about it! :) Especially when I have to go find a new series to watch after tomorrow, because I can't fit in the whole express after work today (which might actually be a blessing for my sanity lol)

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. I admit, for now I've been going by looking at the filmography of an actor/actress I really enjoyed in something I watched, and choosing a different title that I might enjoy. I was quite lucky this way so far :)

Yeah, I think I'm pretty hooked by this point. I've been struggling to find anything enjoyable to watch for a while and cdramas have filled that 'void' rather well. And I get to derust my Mandarin on top of that, so it's a double win :)

Episode 32

Well, Feng Suige remembers now. Good. Shame he couldn’t forget about his sister but oh well, I can’t have everything.

This whole Storm Alliance… Feng Suige’s mother is rolling in her grave if she can see what it has become. On top of that, it just feels like a waste of screen time that I’d rather be used to show Susha.

2nd Prince doesn’t disappoint. I really enjoy him making that official squirm. It’s good that he’s using his brain, questioning what happened, even when he realises that his mother might actually have been involved. And since she already made it obvious that she’s working with the Murongs, he probably connects the dots easily - if he hasn’t already. I’m sooo glad this is the development we are seeing for him.

I’m only sad because if tomorrow is the express, I won’t be able to watch all of it. But maybe it’ll be good for my sanity. I already have a box of tissues ready, I may need to buy something strong to drink, too.

Episode 31

Lu Ke substituting for Yixiao, trying to make Feng Suige remember the moments with her, has got to be the best part of this episode.

Also, my bet is that Lady An had at one point saved Lord Ling who had now forgotten her.

I thought the 2nd Prince voice was weird because he was talking like a crybaby but now he speaks normally, and his voice sounds even weirder, too deep for him. Or maybe it's just me. I don't know if he's dubbed, my guess would be probably since most actors are I think, but I just feel like his voice just doesn't suit him.

That said, I think he might be the only one that doesn’t disappoint me. I was worried he’d become a puppet but him asking to investigate the truth gives me hope in this regard. It’ll be so nice if we can avoid the cliche of a poor crybaby being used by the bad guys to do their bidding.

And I still just can’t care about Jinxiu plot. Except for thinking that Jinxiu Emperor and the Princess are really a match made in heaven.

I see. Yeah, she will eventually turn 18 which will likely make things a bit easier and less questionable when it comes to genuinely romantic storylines. I'll definitly be keeping my fingers crossed she gets another role with Zuo Ye eventually lol And yeah, he's pretty young himself, so it wouldn't even be that weird.

I admit I know nothing about agencies and what they are like, I'm rather new to the whole drama world. I just randomly decided to pick The Double on Netflix at one point, which I feel might have been a very strong first series to watch, and then decided I want more :)

Yes, exactly - the ex-husband. Based on his profile, he didn't have that many roles, I've only seen him in Perfect Match and later Feud, which I watched mainly because of him. He's another actor that I really hope will get more and bigger roles in the future.

And that is funny. I mean, Zuo Ye and Ai Mi do have a great on-screen chemistry and I'd totally watch another drama where they are put as a couple but yeah, a happy ending this time please. Then again, Ai Mi is still so incredibly young (which shocked me too actually) that it's probably easier to write a sad ending when it comes to a romantic storyline for her or people could feel iffy. Maybe in the future.

Good point. I guess I ticked up the spoiler out of habit. Yeah, I know some spoilers for FOF and I found it kinda funny that whenever Zuo Ye and Ai Mi have roles together, they seem destined for tragic ending lol. From impressive performances also I have Liang Yongqi because of his role in The Double (that's a character you end up hating but damn the actor did a good job). Watching MJTY, I didn't know if I hate TJR's character of love it haha, but he was great too.